FARMERS' markets across Worcestershire have saved a lot of rural businesses from complete disaster.

Some rural businesses in the county claim they would have disappeared completely if it were not for the regular produce markets that started to appear about two years ago.

Despite the foot-and-mouth crisis, they are flourishing and have spread to nearly every major town in the county.

"The markets have had a major impact on the way many rural growers and producers now operate," said Janet Yates, of the Worcestershire Farmers' Markets Group, set up to co-ordinate the different markets.

Struggling

"The truth is that, without these markets, many more rural businesses would be struggling and some would have disappeared completely."

Market gardener Tom Wilkes, who runs a family business in Stone, near Kidderminster, said he was considering "calling it a day" two-years ago.

"The small shops that took our produce were fast disappearing and it was getting to the point where we couldn't make a living," said the 71-year-old.

"Then the markets started and they've made all the difference to us."

Henry Wormington, of Vicarage Fruit Farm, in Hanbury, near Droitwich, also said the markets had meant he had been able to stay in business.

The markets provide producers with regular outlets where they can sell directly to the public, cutting out the middleman.

They also offer shoppers the chance to buy locally grown vegetables at competitive prices, as well as many other "cottage industry" products.

Lew Hammond, town centre manager for Droitwich, Pershore and Evesham, said the markets had also benefited the town's traders.

"The markets are an asset - they provide a real sense of rural and town community fellowship, support mutual economic interests and provide healthy, tasty and fresh local produce from accredited origins," he said.

Amanda Savidge, of Royal Worcester Porcelain, which hosts Worcester's market, said the public's enthusiasm for the markets was "unabated".

"Shopping has taken on a new dimension," she said.