LUDLOW Local Produce Market has reached that difficult age.

But in this case it is not a time for tears, sulking, massive mood swings and spots.

The popular farmers' market, will be reaching the ripe old age of 15 On Thursday July 9.

It will be celebrating its birthday on the Market Square where customers and guests are invited to join organisers for tea and cake from midday.

The Local Produce Market packs Castle Square with fresh local food and drink every second and fourth Thursday of the month.

There is separate event for stallholders, new and old, to be held at Ludlow Brewery the following evening.

Kate Norman, chair of Ludlow 21 Food and Farming Group, said: “After a shaky start that saw the market given the ‘quiet slot’ of what was then traditionally half day closing on Thursdays and then being temporarily closed down due to foot and mouth after just six months of trading, the market is now the largest in Shropshire with around 40 stallholders,” she said.

“The market was established on basic farmers’ market rules which continue to operate today.

“They are basically that; the products must be made, grown or reared by the stallholder or associate and must use local ingredients wherever possible and they must be produced within 30 miles of Ludlow, or 50 miles in exceptional cases.”

Tish Dockerty, the market manager, says that although there has been criticism keeping the market local is important.

“We get a lot of interest from an assortment of traders who sometimes say we are too strict, but I think sticking to these rules makes our market special and we’ve gained respect and loyalty from our customers as a result,” she said.