February 23, 2001 10:06: FARMERS have finally been given their own market in Marlow after years of campaigning.

The Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce has been the driving force behind the market, set to kick off on The Causeway at the beginning of May.

It will be made up of 20 stalls each selling a different product from parmesan cheese and ostrich meat to traditional beef and lamb.

A group of local farmers, lead by Sally Philp, of Town Farm in Bisham, will be in charge of the market.

She said: "I think this is good. I do a farmers market in Maidenhead and it is good for the customer and producer to come face to face. It is almost like shopping used to be. You get to talk to the people who have actually produced your food."

Mrs Philp was keen to point out that it was a food market and was not exclusively for farmers, adding: "We have someone producing parmesan. I would also like to find someone who produces fresh pasta."

The market will be held on the first Wednesday of every month between 9am and 1pm and a few regular traders at Trinity Road, Marlow, will be given the chance to join the farmers.

Two of the stalls on the market will play host to guest traders each month. Local schools and the Allotment Association will be offered the chance to take up the places from month to month.

Mrs Philp added: "I think it will be fun. It is certainly meant to be fun. I am also very pleased with the siting."

The location of the market was a problem for organisers. Colin Berks, chairman of the chamber, said: "Preliminary agreement has been reached to use the road alongside the Causeway. This will enable the market to be visible from along the High Street and from the bridge.

"We would like to thank all the councils for their assistance in achieving this, in particular Chris Mansfield the town centre manager."

If you have been approved by Environmental Health and would like to sell at the market call Mrs Philp on (01628) 473781

David Langton