HEREFORD'S Butter Market has undergone a major transformation over the last couple of years.

After years of decline, the iconic city centre building is enjoying a new lease of life, once again filled with independent stalls selling a wide variety of produce.

Now home to everything from a micropub to a Thai food concession, the Butter Market team are keen supporters of home-grown food and drink and are the headline supporters of this year's Hereford Times Food and Drink Awards, which recognise the best of Herefordshire's local producers.

Moira Davidson, of the Butter Market, said: "There are so many amazing food and drink businesses out there, it's been an incredibly hard job to sit on the awards judging panel this year and choose between them all.

"At the Butter Market, we firmly believe that offering great food and drink is what has turned around peoples perceptions of this glorious building. We are proud to be home to some of the tastiest food and drink in the city from traders who put their all into making their businesses a success.

"In the last couple of weeks we've welcomed Smokey Monkey's on board. Owner Hugh also runs the successful Off Grid Gourmet near Hay-on-Wye and is well known for the tastiest, locally sourced, lovingly prepared food to either eat in or take away.

"We needed something sweet to round out our offering so we were delighted to find Dessert Island. Kellan makes the meanest doughnuts, waffles and sundaes!"

Other new additions to the market include a handmade wood-fired pizza stall, open on Fridays and Saturdays, while the team also welcomed new business Food @ No 57 last month. Owner Louise is passionate about great vegan and vegetarian food and will be in the market most Saturdays serving up homemade burgers and freshly pressed apple juice.

"Come and support local," Moira said.

"We have pretty much everything under one roof from a proper bacon sandwich, falafel, avocado on toast, cider, gin, beer, great coffee, fish and chips, authentic Thai street food and good, proper home cooking. You won't leave the Butter Market hungry!"