THE farmers' market in Winchester is all set to go countywide if proposals in a seminar next month are given the go-ahead.

The two pilot markets held in the city so far have been a great success, with another due on September 26 and a Christmas market also being organised.

A seminar to be held at Winchester Guildhall on October 14 is expected to ask local authorities to make a three-year commitment to the market and look into expanding the idea across the whole of Hampshire.

The county council is preparing to establish a countywide farmers' market administration and local authorities like Winchester City Council are expected to pledge support for the scheme.

The markets are growing in number across the whole country as a way of providing locally-produced products direct from the producer to the public.

It is also fits in with Winchester City Council's Agenda 21 proposals for sustainable development, while providing support for the hard-pressed rural economy.

A report to the city council's policy and finance sub-committee - which meets today - has said that if six markets took place in Winchester on a Sunday, about 60,000 people would visit.

This would lead to a rise in turnover in local shops and an estimated £180,000 turnover for the market itself.

The cost to the council for six markets is £11,000, and the sub-committee is expected to recommend that the money be released. City councillor George Hollingbery said: "I think it's a tremendous idea and I wholly support it.

"Anything that uses less transport and that causes less pollution has got to be developed."

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