Halstead's new-look market is “here to stay” after organisers hailed the success of trial events which saw the number of stalls expand from four to 20.

Mike Prince, of the Halstead Town Team, said there are now so many stallholders at the monthly event that he expects the market to expand on Fridays and Saturdays as well.

The new markets, on the third Saturday of each month, started in March and have now evolved into buzzing food and crafts events with the potential for even more expansion.

He said: “It all went well. It started off as a trial and it’s gone so well we have decided to we are going to continue it until October.

“In November there is a Christmas fair on November 28 and we are going to combine the market with that.

"Everybody seems pleased with it. Some of the stallholders are enquiring about coming at other times so it has had the effect we hoped for.”

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.