Hereford'S first Farmers' Market brought extra vitality and variety to shoppers in High Town.

There were 17 stalls selling produce and such was the demand that some of the traders sold out by early afternoon. On offer was meat, fruit and vegetables, cheese, wine, plants and ice-cream.

Diana Palmer of Herefordshire Food Links, who co-ordinates the markets in the county, said that unfortunately the plan to place some of the stalls in the Butter Market last Thursday had to be abandoned but otherwise everything had gone according to plan.

"The customers were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and keen to see the market return next month," she said.

The market was officially opened with a visit from Rt Rev John Oliver, Bishop of Hereford, Mr Gordon Gilbert, the chairman of the county branch of the National Farmers' Union, and Mrs Gilbert, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the Herefordshire WI, and Shaun Hill, the award-winning chef from Ludlow.

Hereford's MP Paul Keetch visited the market and said he was impressed by the range and quality of the produce. It was necessary, said Mr Keetch, to ensure that the market was integrated with the existing Butter Market so that additional shoppers could be attracted into the centre.