THE successful farmers' markets which have mushroomed in towns around the northern dales have been nominated for a regional award.

The marts, which began with a pilot at Barnard Castle, Teesdale, last December, have been nominated for the northern regional Farming Entrepreneur of the Year award, run by the National Union of Farmers.

Judging is due to take place next month and the award will be presented at the NFU's annual dinner, in London, in February.

The marts, organised by Wear Valley and Teesdale district councils, the Countryside Agency and Northern Dales Meat Initiative, are now held each month at Bishop Auckland, Crook, Stanhope and Barnard Castle.

Marts manager Cathie Thinn said yesterday they were delighted to have been nominated for such an important award in just their first year of running.

She said the marts - which provide a platform for farmers and cake and cheese producers to sell their products - were now well established as an important part of local economies.

Local shopkeepers are also benefiting from the rise in the number of visitors arriving in towns for mart days.

"This can only be good news for the local economy as a whole," she said.