ALNWICK Farmers' Markets is celebrating its 10th birthday on Friday, June 26. Ten years ago, the first farmers’ market established in Northumberland had only a handful of traders.

Over the years, this has now grown to a regular monthly market with more than 20 different producers selling a variety of home made and locally sourced goods.

Alnwick Farmers' Market is now a well established date on the calendar, held on the last Friday of each month.

Still held in the cobbled marketplace, the market sells fantastic fresh produce, baked goods and quality crafts and jewellery. It showcases the talent and diverse flavours of the region and lets the public meet the producer face to face.

Throughout the years the market has flourished and in more recent times has seen a surge of new customers eager for a bargain and keen to promote their local community.

To celebrate its 10th year, Alnwick Farmers' Market will be holding a celebration and special events on Friday June 26. As well as the regular stalls, there’ll be a number of competitions and special demonstrations between 9am and 2pm.

You could win a fabulous hamper of local produce (donated by the stallholders) or a runner's up prize of money off vouchers to be spent at the stalls. All you have to do to enter this free draw is to complete the coupon below and post it in the box on Friday June 26 at the Alnwick Markets Stall. The winning tickets will be drawn at noon.

There will also be a special food demonstration by Del Thomas, head chef from The Sanctuary at the Castle restaurant in Alnwick Castle. Using fresh produce, he will cook two fantastic dishes in front of your eyes and then you’ll be able to sample his delicious cooking skills.

Look on the notice board at the Alnwick Markets stall for details of times and what he's cooking at his two presentations. Del will be happy to answer any of your culinary questions and will demonstrate how easy it is to produce beautiful food using fresh, local ingredients available to buy that day.

There will be also be a 'guess the herb competition'. The public will be offered tasters and be able to smell samples of fresh and dried herbs in a variety of produce.

Another competition on the day will be to guess who the very first trader was, ten years ago and who is still regularly attending the Farmers Markets now. Put your guess into the box on the Alnwick Markets stall and the first correct entry drawn will win a prize donated from that supplier.

Also, there will be information regarding a new scheme the Alnwick Farmers markets are introducing called 'Friends of Alnwick Farmers Markets' (FOAFM).

This is open to all customers and producers who can join and help promote the Farmers’ Market. The scheme will be free to join and you will receive regular newsletters.

FOAFM members can help by sending a small donation to help promote the markets or volunteer their time and practical skills. Further details will be available on Friday June 26 at the Alnwick Markets stall.

The market has flourished and in more recent times has seen a surge of new customers.