A FLAVOUR of France was on offer to shoppers in Darlington for a four-day Gallic market experience over the weekend.

French market traders made their first journey to the town to offer tempting wares from across the Channel.

Shoppers flocked to buy culinary delights such as wines, cheeses, cooked meats and breads, and a range of craftwork.

More than 35 stalls were set up in the town's Market Square, creating a French ambience for visitors.

The French market joined with Darlington's outdoor market on Saturday and Monday, and took over the Market Square by itself on Friday and Sunday.

While it proved successful, one regular trader who did not want to be named, said: "All these French traders have come over for the weekend and they are not paying rent. They have taken up most of the pitches."

But outdoor market representative Liz Hutchinson said the French traders had paid a lump sum towards the promotion, and town centre manager Louise Payne said there had been consultations with local traders before the event to keep them fully informed of what was happening.

She said: "It was all worked out in full and there were consultations between the indoor market and the outdoor market traders.

"We had several meetings about the pitches, what sites they were allowed, there were also negotiations about the amount of space they were taking from other traders.

"The French market has been busy and this has benefited other traders."

Pupils from Longfield School made posters as part of a competition to publicise the market. The winners were Katherine Holdstock, Leanne Hopkins, Adam Harrison and Jessica Vickers, who each received a framed copy of their work