Witham is to launch its own farmers market recreating the traditional feel of an Essex market town as part of a drive to rejuvenate the shopping centre.

Initially it will be held once a month -- on a Tuesday or Wednesday -- in the Grove Centre.

To kick-start it, management there are making space available free to stall holders who will be bringing their own produce straight from the farm and smallholding to shoppers.

"We want it to get going as soon as possible," said a delighted Paul Ryland, chairman of Witham Strategy Group which is masterminding the scheme.

"This is really good news for the town and will create a fresh new attraction for both the people of Witham and visitors.

"In towns where this has been tried, the response has been terrific and we are expecting the same here," he said.

"We have been trying for some time to get this going, and it was quite obvious that Braintree council did not want to know.

"We are indebted to Ms Wendy Harlow, manager of the Grove Centre for providing a site for the market.

''We want to keep it quite separate from the Saturday market operated by Braintree council, and it will not be in competition with it,'' said Mr Ryland.

Wendy Harlow, manager of the Grove Centre will initially be running the scheme, vetting applications for stalls to ensure they are genuine producers.

"We don't want simply an alternative market, this is something quite different," she explains. We will also be taking care of aspects such as rubbish control.

"Now we are looking for stall holders and invite anyone who thinks they would like to be involved to contact me on 01376 519440, said Ms Harlow.

Braintree farmer, Roy Threadgold who organised the one farmers market held at Braintree to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the town's market charter says he for one is interested.

"It was very successful and I would be interested in taking a stall at Witham" he said.

Braintree has no plans to run its farmers market on a regular basis, explains Chris Trim, their public relations manager.

It is likely that any future farmers' market would be associated with a specific event, like the recent charter celebration.

"It is important that such markets are supported, even driven by the farmers themselves and that they fit in with the existing market arrangement.

"Until funding is allocated for organising them, future markets will depend on the traders' own enthusiasm, but right now there are no plans for more, " said Mr Trim.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.