A NEW market group has saved two brothers from ending five generations of farming in their family.

Mike and Chris Wilkes who run the 50-acre Marlhouse Market Garden, Stone, appreciate the value of their livelihood - because they came close to losing it and ending hundreds of years of farming in their family.

Mike, 46, paints a bleak picture before the advent of farmers' markets.

Traditional customers for their produce - greengrocers and wholesalers - were drying up as supermarkets tightened their grip on the market.

"We were on the verge of quitting two years ago," said Mike.

"Getting up at 3am to go to market and then not make any money was a nightmare," he explained.

As their debts rose they knew 1999 would be their "do or die" year. But at first they were dismissive of farmers' markets.

"I thought they were glorified car boot sales," Mike admits.

"But we had nothing to lose, so we took part in the first one in the area, at Bromsgrove, in September 1999. We sold 500 carrier bags of vegetables!"

Mike put the markets' subsequent success down to trust. "People have contact with the growers and they can ask questions."

Although they have expanded their range on offer to take in carrots and romanesco cauliflowers, Mike maintains he and his brother keep things simple.

"It's not rocket science," he said. "Our produce tastes better than the supermarkets' because it's fresher."

The Malthouse is not an "organic" farm - a label Mike finds misleading - but they spray their vegetables less to save money and do most of the work by hand.

Farmers' markets are now widespread - including one at Kidderminster that Mike reckons is among the best - but the foot-and-mouth crisis showed how vulnerable they are.

"It's all still in its infancy," said Mike. "We need celebrity chefs to get people talking about them."

The Worcestershire Farmers Markets Group was set up to provide support for farmers, information for the public and ensure the smooth running of the markets.

Co-ordinator Janet Yates said: "We're a partnership of the farmers, the town centre managers and the market operators.

"Many of our members are family run concerns who have really been able to take control of their own business and respond to customers' needs."

l The next farmers' market will be held in Kidderminster tomorrow from 9am until 4pm.