FARMERS who sell their produce at monthly markets have launched a campaign to show how all the items can be used in healthy diets.

They are distributing recipe leaflets at farmers' markets in Barnard Castle and Stanhope, explaining how locally grown vegetables, meat and fruit are good for everyone.

The recipes have been worked out with help from the Durham Dales NHS Primary Care Trust to create meals that are especially good in winter.

But Katrina Palmer, the co-ordinator for both markets, said yesterday that they plan to produce other leaflets suitable for the other seasons.

She said: "The whole idea of farmers' markets is to sell locally grown foods, so the recipes will have to change with the seasons to make the best use of what is available."

The winter menu has a starter of leek soup, followed by a main course of shepherd's pie using local lamb, mushrooms and carrots. For pudding there is apple fold with local fruit as well as currants, raisins and cinnamon.

The leaflets describe other local produce that is available, and explain the healthy options for cooking them.

The leaflets will be handed out before and during the next farmers' markets at Barnard Castle on Saturday, February 4 and Stanhope on Saturday, February 26.

They also encourage users to eat five portions of vegetables and fruit every day.