FARMERS will urge Richmond's shoppers to "fall in love with local food" at the weekend in an effort to limit the impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

After months of careful debate, the town's first farmers' market has been given the go-ahead to be held on Saturday.

Using a slogan adopted as part of an initiative launched by the Countryside Agency and Yorkshire Forward, farmers from a 40-mile radius will travel to the town to sell their own produce.

As well as locally-reared beef, lamb, pork and dairy goods, more unusual items, such as buffalo cheese and yogurt, organic vegetables, home-made fruit juice, home-produced soap, honey, herbs and crafts, will be on sale.

The chairman of the Northern Dales Farmers' Markets, Alaistair Davy, of Oxque Farm, near Marrick, said that although no new cases of foot-and-mouth had been confirmed in the area for some weeks, the farming community was still struggling with the devastation left behind.

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

"We want to assure people we are still very much open for business, our produce is safe to eat, and the best way to support us is to eat and enjoy the quality food we provide."

Saturday's market opens at 7.30am, coinciding with the town's indoor market. Others will follow on the third Saturday of each month.

Andy Marrinar, whose popular Gatherley Farm green-grocery stalls have served Richmond shoppers for almost 90 years, has supported the initiative.

"The variety of produce on offer should pull in the crowds, which can only be to every trader's benefit," he said.

"As long as farmers are happy to stand alongside existing stallholders and trade on the same day, I have no problem with it at all."

This weekend also sees Richmond's annual First Fruits Ceremony - a medieval tradition marking the start of the year's harvest - outside Trinity Church at 10.30am.

A sample of fresh corn produced by a local farmer will be presented to a miller for official approval.

Bystanders will then be offered wine to join the town's Mayor, Councillor Tom Burrows, in a toast to the success of the new harvest.

Read more about the foot-and-mouth crisis here.