GAZETTE & HERALD: Organisers of the new farmers' market in Malmesbury reckon the extra competition will boost the takings of local shop owners.

Management company Made in Stroud has agreed to run a fortnightly market in the town on the second and fourth Saturday of every month from June 11.

Situated at the Market Cross, 20 stallholders will sell good such as locally produced bread, vegetables and seasonal fruit from 9am to 2pm,

Lindsay Gray, markets assistant with Made in Stroud, said the owners of the company, Claire and Kardien Gerbrands, have spoken to many traders in Malmesbury to reassure them they have nothing to fear.

Miss Gray said as there was already a good butcher's shop in Malmesbury, the company would only seek those producers that could offer meat not available to shoppers.

She said: "Malmesbury has traditionally been a market town and we are trying to keep it that way. The impression I get is that traders are open to the idea. In Stroud we have the fortnightly market and it has had a big boost to the local economy."

Miss Gray added: "I think the new market will give Malmesbury a buzz."