Farmers in the Braintree district are hoping to set up a market selling their fresh produce direct to customers.

Despite a lack of financial backing from Braintree Council, Wethersfield farmer, Roy Threadgold, is co-ordinating plans to establish a regular market in Braintree.

"I think it's got great potential and a lot of people I have spoken to have been enthusiastic," Mr Threadgold said. "I think the main thing is to give it a trial run and see how much interest there is. If it looks good we will hopefully go ahead."

A one-off event is already planned for June 16 in St Michael's churchyard as part of Braintree's 800th anniversary celebrations.

The markets would be similar to those running successfully in other parts of the country such as Bath. Farmers sell goods like organic produce, fruit and vegetables, sheep and goat dairy products and home cooking direct to customers.

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