ECO-FRIENDLY businesses in Hartlepool are being urged to take advantage of an opportunity to promote their goods at an event next month.

The Hartlepool Eco-Festival is to be held at the Town Moor on the Headland on September 13 and 14, and will include a green market on both days.

Six stalls have already been booked and it is hoped to increase that number to at least ten.

Now the organisers, the Hartlepool Environmental Partnership, which comprises the Headland Development Company, Hartlepool Borough Council and a range of Headland community and voluntary groups, want to hear from local traders.

Helen Beaman, the council's environment co-ordinator, said: "We have already arranged stalls selling recycled jewellery, hand-made cosmetics, Fair Trade products and vintage clothing, but we would also like to hear from local producers of fruit and vegetables and arts and crafts."

The market is being sponsored by the council's Pride in Hartlepool campaign and stalls are available free of charge.

Anyone interested in booking a stall is asked to contact Ms Beaman on (01429) 523358 by September 5.

Admission to the Hartlepool Eco-Festival, which incorporates the Headland International Kite Exhibition, is free and opens from 11am to 5pm on both days.

In addition to the market, there will be five large themed tents, enviro-world, holistic world, crafts world, youth world and music world.