A TOWN which lost its permanent indoor market after 125 years will be staging its first outdoor farmers' market on Thursday.

Appropriately, it will be held in Harrogate's Market Place, just a few yards from the site of the former indoor market in the basement of Victoria Shopping Centre.

The farmers' market will feature home-reared and home grown produce, including organic lamb, dry cured meat, apple juice, jams, cakes and cheeses.

It follows successful farmers' markets in Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

A farmers' market in Ripon proved such a triumph that several stallholders sold out before closing time.

Councillor Mike Bury, who has spearheaded campaigns backing local farmers, gave the market a warm welcome.

Coun Bury, who represents Killinghall on Harrogate Borough Council, said he hoped the farmers' market would be the first of many in Harrogate.

"It not only helps farmers, but the public is yearning to buy fresh produce," he said.

So far, 19 stallholders have signed up to join the Harrogate market, which will spill into Cambridge Street, and will run from 11am until 4pm.

Harrogate Borough Council's Agenda 21 Officer Jane Money said the venture was being organised with Harrogate Town Centre Management.

Mrs Money said if successful a further Harrogate market could be held.

Meanwhile, the council has announced a string of other farmers' markets to be held in Ripon, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.

They are at Ripon's Market Place, on Sunday, from 10am to noon; Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall, on August 25, from noon to 4pm; Knaresborough's Market Place, on September 10, from 10am to 2pm; Ripon's Market Place, on September 23, from 10am to 3pm; Ripon's Market Place, on October 22, from 10am to 3pm; Ripon's Market Place, on November 26, from 10am to 3pm; Knaresborough's Market Place, on December 3, from 10am to 2pm; Ripon's Market Place, on December 17, from 10am to 3pm.