FRIENDS old and new gathered in Orton to celebrate the Eden village's 200th farmers' market.

Since early 2001, the monthly event has been attracting shoppers to Orton Market Hall and open-air stalls stocking fell-reared meats, freshly baked bread, cakes, pies, jams, chutneys and crafts.

As well as benefitting the dozens of traders who set up their stalls on the second Saturday of every month, the event has also helped All Saints' Church raise around £90,000 through its market-day coffee mornings and second-hand book sales.

Market coordinator Leanne Duerden told the Gazette: "We have some lovely customers. They come whatever the weather to do their big shop and we love them for it.

"There's just something magical about it. Our producers are honest about their food and our customers appreciate talking to them and learning where the food comes from and how its' reared."

Set up as a community enterprise company, Orton won the National Farmers’ Market of the Year Award in 2005.

Some of the original directors and stallholders are still involved, including poultry farmer David Knipe, of Tebay; Jane Emerson, a beef and venison producer from Penruddock; and Mallerstang baker Dianne Holliday.

ilk and cream; and Stewart Lambert, of Kitridding Farm, near Kirkby Lonsdale. Traders all hail from within 50 miles of Orton.

Market coordinator Leanne said Saturday's gathering gave people a chance to remember some of the characters from the market's early days, and pay tribute to their legacy.

"A few of our early producers are no longer alive," she said, "and many regular customers will remember them and appreciate what they did - people like Sue Forrester of Cream of Cumbria butter, Bob Kitching of Leagram’s cheese and Ian Mullins of Rachael’s Kitchen Granola."

Meanwhile, preserve maker William Ramsbottom, of Richmond, created an anniversary butter from plum-like bullace fruits to mark the 200th milestone.