ALCESTER folk once again got the chance to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and plants at the monthly farmer's market on Friday.

Chairman of the Alcester Farmer's Market Association, Gloria Abney-Hastings, said: "The market has faced some criticism in the past but it is hugely successful.

"Some shops have actually recorded a 50 per cent increase in takings on market day as people are coming in from out of the area to buy fresh produce and then buying from the shops in High Street."