FRENCH and English market traders enjoyed some entente cordiale when a mix-up over dates resulted in traders sharing the town centre pitches.

Gallic stallholders were in town from Thursday to Saturday and, on Friday, were joined by the Worcestershire Farmers Market.

Fresh vegetable seller, Mike Wilkes, said: "It was a great atmosphere and we got on with the French people so well. I would be quite happy to share the site with them again."

At first, the local traders had been told they could not hold their monthly market because of the visiting French market but it was then agreed they could combine their events.

Shoppers were treated to a variety of cordon bleu delights from across the Channel including French cheeses, sausages and salamis, Normandy cider, Calvados fondant cakes and the hugely popular crepe stall.

Although Friday had the two markets, Mr Wilkes said he had not taken any more money then usual and added the regular farmers' market had not recovered from the loss of the multi-storey car parks.

He estimated takings were only a third of what they were when the market started almost four years ago and the number of stallholders had halved.

"But we should be positive about what we've got," he added. "I keep coming because it's worth my while."