A NORTH Yorkshire farmers’ market has earned national recognition by reaching the finals of a contest.

It is the first year Stokesley has entered the competition to find the country’s leading farmers’ market, but it has been awarded a place in the finals.

Judging of the competition, run by the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (Farma), involved sending mystery shoppers to the markets.

They awarded points on a range of criteria, including layout, quality of produce, value for money and traders’ knowledge. Over the years the market has become increasingly popular and regularly attracts customers from across North Yorkshire and Teesside.

It operates as part of the social enterprise, the Northern Dales Farmers’ Markets.

Traders celebrated the news on Sunday (December 22) when they held an additional market for Christmas, following a request from the parish council.

Stokesley Parish Councillor Lynn Southern said the success of the enterprise had a knock-on effect for other businesses and local shops in the town, who reported brisk trade on farmers’ market days.

“It seems as a community, both local residents and local businesses on the High Street all benefit on farmers’ market days,” she said.

“Stokesley farmers' market deserves to win this award.”