A FARMERS market has made a "successful" comeback in a town as it returned more than a decade later.

The Northern Dales Farmers' Market took over Thirsk's market place on Sunday, June 23, with 18 stalls of locally-sourced and home-grown produce.

Plans for the farmers market to make a return to the town, after a ten years hiatus, were announced earlier this year.

Following on from the "previous success" of Artisan markets in Thirsk in 2018, the council said it had worked with market bosses to bring it back.

Market manager, Nigel Davison, said: “We had 18 stalls turn out for this first market and we would like to thank the good people of Thirsk and its visitors for a warm welcome and support for our fantastic artisan food producers."

Before Sunday's market, Mr Davison said he hoped that his team could replicate the success of their Teesside market, which is held at Stewart Park in Middlesbrough and attracts thousands of visitors.

He said: “After over ten years we are delighted to be returning to Thirsk Market Place and starting a new market, providing food lovers with another opportunity to buy from some of the best producers in the area, and all of them are small independent family businesses."

Mr Davison added that he hoped the market could become a monthly event in the future, the group currently run almost one market, per weekend across North Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham.

Councillor Mark Robson, leader of Hambleton District Council, said the return of the farmers market was an "important contribution" to the town.

He said: “It was great to see such a wealth of support for the market, we had no complaints and no negative feedback.

"We spoke to all the shops in the market place so that they were aware of the market and some even opened especially.

"Our markets are important contributors to making our towns vibrant and we are keen to ensure they remain a key element of the market town experience for residents and visitors.”

The next market is expected to take place at Thirsk market place on Sunday, September 22 between 10am and 3pm.