SHOPPERS who flocked in their thousands to a town's first farmers' market gave it their approval yesterday.

Queues started at the 19 stalls soon after opening time in Harrogate's Market Place and Cambridge Street.

Some stalls sold out long before scheduled closing, and many ran low on stock after the six-hour opening.

"It's absolutely fantastic," said one woman, joining a long queue at a home-made produce stall.

"It has brought people together in the town centre and there is a wonderful atmosphere. The queues have never stopped since I arrived."

Several shoppers expressed the hope that it would become a permanent feature.

The town recently lost its regular indoor market, bringing to an end 125 years of tradition in Harrogate.

Many shoppers said they had made purchases to show their support and solidarity for the farming community in its present crisis.

Ostrich meat, home-made ices, jams, preserves and cheeses were among items for sale, more traditional goods including local meat and home made cakes.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council, which has announced a string of extra farmers' markets in Ripon, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough, said a further Harrogate market could be held, but no date had been fixed.

Councillor Mike Bury, who has supported local farmers with a high-profile fight against the beef-on-the-bone ban, said he was sure the open market had not only boosted trade for stallholders but had encouraged more shoppers into town to visit traditional stores.

"This has been a real winner and people are clamouring for more," said the Killinghall councillor