CALLS have been made for Kington residents to reduce their food-miles and support a traditional weekly market held in the town.

Initially started by the Women’s Institute, the Kington Country Market has been a fixture of the North Herefordshire town for more than 50 years.

It moved to its current location at the Baptist Church in 1976 and is run today as a co-operative, selling homemade and homegrown products to local residents.

But with stiff competition from supermarkets, country markets are under threat and Leominster’s closed in December after 72 years.

Now, Kington residents are being urged to use theirs to help it remain sustainable in the future.

Suyin Powell, manager of Kington Country Market, said: “The message to people is 'come try us, come find us and see what we have got'.

“We have a nice selection. Mostly with us it's all homegrown and home-produced.

"One of our main things is that everything is produced within a few miles of Kington. It's all nice and fresh."

Products on offer include meat, vegetables, chutneys, jams, honey, eggs and bread.

"It's always a good atmosphere at the market," said Ms Powell.

"We all get on and a lot of our customers we already know and so people will pop in for a chat and we'll ask how they are and it's also nice to meet new people."

Though some weeks are more of a struggle than others – often due to the weather – the market is supported by a band of loyal customers.

It is now hoped others will follow suit and try a slice of traditional, rural life.

The Kington Country Market is held at Kington Baptist Church on Bridge Street each Friday morning from 9am to 11.30am.