Richmond shoppers are invited to fall in love with local food when the town holds a farmers' market to help the rural economy out of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Twenty farmers will set up stalls in the market place tomorrow from 7.30, alongside the usual market.

The northern dales farmers' markets, set up by producers working with the northern dales meat initiative and Richmondshire District Council, arranged the event, the first in the town centre.

Under the banner "Fall in love with local food," farmers from within a 40-mile radius will sell meat, dairy produce - including buffalo cheese - organic vegetables, fruit juice, soap, honey, herbs and crafts. The event, opposite the King's Head hotel, will be repeated on the third Saturday of every month.

Mr Alastair Davy, of Low Oxque Farm, Marrick, chairman of the northern dales farmers' markets, said the farming community was fighting back from the devastation of foot-and-mouth.

"The market will give us a vital lease of life and a tremendous opportunity to meet locals to talk about our produce," he said.

Mr Andy Marrinar, whose Gatherley Farm greengrocery stalls have served Richmond shoppers for almost 90 years, supports regular farmers' markets. "It is a good thing for the town," he said. "The variety of produce on offer should pull in the crowds."

l The market coincides with Richmond's annual first fruits ceremony, a medieval tradition to mark harvest time. It starts at 10.30.