HAMPSHIRE farmers whose livelihoods have been threatened by the foot-and-mouth epidemic were thrown a financial lifeline yesterday as the farmers' market rolled back into Eastleigh.

It was the first in the county since the start of the outbreak.

The popular farmers' markets have become the main source of income for many rural dwellers.

But with town after town being forced to scrap the markets because of the crisis, many farmers have been plunged into desperate financial straits.

Some desperate farmers have even been forced to sell furniture to put food on their family's table.

Yesterday's market, held in Leigh Road precinct, brought a ray of sunshine through the black clouds hanging over the farming industry.

But it was probably not enough to restore full confidence to a farming community which has been practically brought to its knees by foot-and-mouth.

There were about 30 market stalls and, of those, half a dozen were selling meat and fish.

Town centre manager Dennis Chandler said: "There has been an excellent turnout and it is a big boost to the traders.

"Many of these people have not had any outlets to sell their produce and they are pleased to be starting up again."

Traders came from as far afield as the Isle of Wight and Sussex.

Mr Chandler said: "We have taken special precautions and vehicles have been disinfected when they come in and will be disinfected when they leave."

Chairman of the Southern Farmers Market Association Graham Beer, who was selling produce from his Liphook trout farm, said: "For the last six weeks the situation has been desperate and farmers have been longing to get back out into the market place.

"They have been very upset and depressed. We have heard stories of people having to sell their furniture to buy food."

For Olwen Collett, 44, of Westlands Farm in Shedfield, it was - at last - a case of business as normal.

Olwen said: "Customers have said very little about it, really. Most of them take us being here for granted."

Graham Colenutt, 22, who works for the Isle of Wight Bacon Company at Moor Farm, Godshill, said: "Trade has been all right today. It's been picking up a bit."

Tracy Neal, 33, of the Neal Family Farm Shop in North Warnborough, took a philosophical view of the crisis.

She said: "In a way foot-and mouth has been good for us because it has meant we have had to go out and find new customers."