A FARMERS' market that was launched to help the fight back after last year's foot-and-mouth crisis has proved so successful it is planning a major expansion.

Local farmers have been selling their home-grown produce at a monthly market in Richmond for months - and next Saturday they are to launch a monthly event in Leyburn.

If all goes well that will be followed later in the year by similar regular markets in Thirsk, Bedale and Northallerton.

The Northern Dales Farmers' Markets was set up in conjunction with the Northern Dales Meat Initiative and now operates as a limited company in its own right.

Chairman Alastair Davy, who farms at Marrick, described the expansion as an important turning point for rural recovery.

"We have a body of regular and committed stallholders, plenty of loyal customers, and the support of many local councils. The markets have been a tremendous boost for many farmers' livelihoods and we have great plans for future growth."

As a company they are now applying for a grant under the Department for Rural Affairs' English rural development plan and hopes to use the funding to purchase a generator, fridge and further stalls.

A full-time market manager is also to be appointed to co-ordinate a programme of regular markets and to help to attract additional stallholders.

Once appointed, he or she will look at the feasibility of launching a web site offering on-line trading, a co-operative food box scheme and possibly even a permanent site.

Markets will continue in Richmond on the third Saturday of the month, with a market in Leyburn every fourth Saturday.

If all goes to plan, stallholders will visit Thirsk on the second Monday of the month and, by September, Bedale on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Meanwhile, the county council is to be asked to approve plans for a market in Northallerton on the fourth Friday of the month to be held in the Applegarth car park, beginning in October.

Farmers wishing to be shortlisted as stallholders should telephone Alastair Davy on (01748) 884414.