A Malvern market celebrating its 50th anniversary is as successful as ever, say organisers.

Malvern Country Market began life as the WI Market and is still based at its original home, the Lyttelton Rooms on Church Street.

Fifty years on, the weekly Friday market is going from strength to strength with new stallholders and an extended produce range.

Its sell-out Easter cake sale was a mark of its success.

"We had a decline a few years back but we've now had a resurgence," said market commander Anthea Elston. "We're selling lots of new things like gingerbread houses and have a greater range of breads and cakes.

"We used to only sell wholemeal bread but now there's Italian-style garlic and herb.

"We've also got a contemporary card designer."

Favourites like home-grown vegetables, fruit and preserves continue to sell well.

"The ethos is the same, it's all about local produce," said Mrs Elston.

"All the fruit and vegetables are picked an hour or two before each market. You can't get fresher than that.

"All the cakes are baked at home, with no added monosodium glutamate or preservatives."

To mark the anniversary, three Saturday markets will be held, starting tomorrow (Saturday) and on July 9 and August 13.

On Friday, June 17, free slices of birthday cake and prize draw entries will be available.

"I see a positive future for the market, though it ultimately depends on our customers and producers," said Mrs Elston.

"We're always looking for new producers."

Markets run from 8.45am to 11am.