SHOPPERS at a farmers' market can take part in a Ready Steady Cook-style competition this week.

Darlington's indoor and outdoor markets will host a series of events to promote the variety and standard of foods available in the Tees Valley on Friday.

During the Ready Steady Cook competition, opera singer Suzannah Clarke will team up with chef Adam Robson to cook up feast using only ingredients bought from the farmers' market.

They will compete against Sharon Griffiths, a columnist from The Northern Echo and chef Darren Parkhill, from Darlington's Atlantic Bar and Grill.

Each team will have £10 to spend on ingredients during a 15-minute shopping spree, followed by 30 minutes to create a dish using their purchases.

The event will be hosted by food expert and chef Annie Stirk.

An audience of shoppers will then get the chance to judge which team has created the best dish. The winner will be announced at 1.30pm.

Free samples of soup will be distributed in the Indoor Market, from 11am.

Darlington Borough Councillor David Lyonette, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "These events are an excellent way of highlighting the range of produce available in Darlington's markets, and getting more people interested in fresh food and cooking healthy meals.

"It is also going to be a lot of fun, with such a lot to see, and so much tasting and judging for shoppers, I just hope everyone has a good appetite."