Kempley Produce Market is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a right royal fanfare.

It won the Prince of Wales Award of Honour and £1000 in prize money at the recent Royal Bath and West Show .

The market won the award “for creating an event that promotes local producers, provides a focal point for the village and invests back into the community”.

Market founder and chair, Maggie Bligh said: “This has been achieved entirely by volunteer effort, involving many of the local residents, but managed by a core group of seven marketeers.

“I started the market as a social enterprise, mainly. The opportunity to provide a platform for local producers, alongside a regular café and meeting place, seemed a fun way to create a viable community venture.”

She added: “At our first market ten years ago we were packed, including four generations of one family! The market has continued to grow and develop – we are thrilled by this acknowledgement.”

The aim of the market is to promote “an ethos of sustainability and resilience, with profits already funding a renewable energy installation for the village hall”.

Regular producers include an award-winning cider and perry maker, a juice and fruit grower, a co-op bakery, a cheese maker and a Michelin-starred chef.

Alan Lyons, Head of Shows at Royal Bath & West of England Society said

“Strong local communities are the backbone of rural Britain, and Kempley Produce Market does a sterling job of bringing people together for the greater good.”

Another aim of the successful market was to provide “a regular informal social meeting place as a café, whilst supporting start-up businesses.

Fund-raising successes have included the provision of renewable engery for the hall, in the shape of solar panels.

This was achieved back in December, “to benefit all users”.

Naturally, following the prestigious award and with a tenth anniversary to mark, market organisers and supporters are in the mood to celebrate.

All past and future supporters are invited to the 10th anniversary market from 9.30am to 11.30a.m on July 13, at Kempley Village Hall.