SHOPPERS and stallholders joined together to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Fordingbridge Country Market.

Avonway Community Centre, which hosts the market every week, was decorated with bunting to mark the milestone on Friday.

Customers were treated to an array of free taster goods to sample, including homemade cakes, flapjacks, biscuits, jams, jellies and chutneys.

There were also plants and flowers for sale as well as vegetables and a range of craft items.

Fordingbridge Country Market has been a member of the Hampshire Country Markets group since it was set up in 1997 and the market is held every Friday from 9.30am to 11.30am.

It has support from a core of regular customers and also draws in tourists who visit the area.

A spokeswoman for the market said: “It is a co-operative market and all the producers are shareholders in their market, It is open to both men and women to produce homemade goods of all kinds.

“We are always keen to welcome new producers so if anyone is interested why not come along to the market on a Friday morning and have a chat with us.

“If you do not want to produce for the market then come along and see what we have to offer, you will be assured of a warm welcome.”