TAKE a good look at the carrot below. Now, when you look at that do you think yum, yum? If you are a regular visitor to Worcestershire farmers’ markets your answer will probably be yes but for a lot of people, unfortunately, their answer will be no.

As you may have read in the news last week, the European Union regulations that stop strange-shaped fruit and vegetables being sold are being changed by Brussels bureaucrats. Good for them but are British people willing to eat wonky vegetables?

Sadly, carrots with three prongs, amusing parsnips or misshapen cucumbers have been missing from most people’s lives for too many years. However, things are different down at the farmers’ market.

As Henry Wormington, chairman of Worcestershire Farmers’ Markets, said: “Our customers are not brainwashed into the standards which supermarkets have forced producers to accept.”

In other words all veg doesn’t have to look the same to taste good. At your local farmers’ market you will see all manner of fruit and veg – from the uniform to the downright ugly – but it is all of the highest quality and the very best flavour.

And, most importantly, it has all been produced by local growers.

If you would like to buy some of this excellent produce head down to St Peter’s Garden Centre, Norton, near Worcester, today.

The centre is hosting the November Farmers’ Christmas and Crafts Market from 9.30am until 2.30pm. It is the last market of the year being hosted by the garden centre and is a great place to stock up on your seasonal produce and pick up some Christmas gifts as well.

St Peter’s is also providing family entertainment, including children’s face painting (from 10am until 3pm), paint-your-own ceramic Christmas decorations with Green Frog Pottery (from 10am until 3pm) and Mr Doo, the Solo Circus comedy juggler. He will be there for most of the day with his free shows scheduled for 11am and 2.30pm. The Maclean Handbell Ringers will also be at the garden centre playing seasonal tunes.

As an extra treat Santa will be arriving in his grotto at 10am.

Admission is £5 with a gift for every child and all proceeds from the grotto will be donated to Noah’s Ark children’s charity.

For more information about Worcestershire Farmers’ Markets, log on to wfmg.co.uk.