AN enterprise which proved to be a lifeline to farmers during the dark days of BSE, celebrates its fourth anniversary on Saturday in Devizes.

Farmers' markets were started to help local farmers and producers who were struggling to make a living.

Kennet District Council, North Wiltshire District Council and West Wiltshire District Council helped to set up farmers' markets and the Wiltshire Farmers' Markets Association took over the running of the markets in 1999.

The markets, which are held on different days in a number of Wiltshire towns, have proved to be a lifeline to farmers and growers.

Dawn Brooks, chairman of Wiltshire Farmers' Markets Association and who farms organic beef and lamb at Marshfield near Chippenham, said: "Back in 1998 when there was talk of setting up farmers markets farming was in a precarious state.

"The problems with BSE had made a lot of farmers give up but the farmers' markets gave us the opportunity to take control of our own future."

Mrs Brooks, who runs her farm with partner Louis Tiley, said: "Our business would have survived without the Farmers' Markets but we would have struggled all the way through. Most other farmers who go to the markets feel the same way. They have been a lifeline to us."

Andrew Duff, secretary of Wiltshire Farmers' Markets Association and who is a plant grower from Bottlesford near Pewsey, said: "The farmers' markets give farmers an outlet to sell direct to the public and they bring more people into the towns, which is a boost to local businesses.

"All the produce on sale is produced locally and the benefit to shoppers is that the produce has not had far to travel and it has been reared humanely. No genetically modified products are used and much of the produce on sale is organic."

The foot and mouth crisis in 2001 plunged farming into despair and a movement ban forced the closure of the Wiltshire markets for up to three months.

A number of markets are extremely popular, most notably Devizes, Chippenham and Bradford-on-Avon.

Other markets are held at Westbury, Melksham, Warminster, Lacock, Trowbridge and Wootton Bassett.

Calne farmers market closed in January this year due to dwindling support.

Among the produce sold at the farmers' markets is ham, pork, sausages, beef, lamb, organic trout, pt, fresh vegetables, plants, chicken, turkey, pigeon, venison, cheese, wine, jam, chocolate and craft products including cards and paintings.

Despite the tribulations farmers have suffered in recent years there is optimism for the future with the launch of a new farmers' market in Marlborough and the appointment of manager, Caroline Ramsey, to oversee the running of all the Wiltshire Farmers' markets.

Mrs Ramsey's post is funded with money from the Wiltshire Rural Regeneration partnership and her post starts on June 9.

The Marlborough Farmers Market will be held on June 29 and will be held on the last Sunday in each month.

Mrs Brooks said: "We have decided to hold it on a Sunday because the research indicated that some people who would like to come to the farmers' markets are unable to do so during the week because they work."

The farmers' market in Devizes is increasing its number of stalls to 26 on Saturday.

Farmers or growers who would like to trade at the farmers markets, and particularly the new market in Marlborough, should contact Andrew Duff on (01672) 851845.