A County Durham farmers’ market has been crowned best in the UK at the prestigious Farm Retail Awards.

Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market was the winner of Farmers’ Market of the Year at the Farm Retail Awards, organised by the Farm Retail Association (FRA).

The awards first began 45 years ago and celebrate “the cream of the crop” in the industry.

They also showcase an “incredible array of farm retailers from the length and breadth of the UK,” writes the FRA website.

Judges described Barnard Castle as: “A fantastic high street based market, run and managed by the stall holders.

“A wonderful range of stalls and goods, with outstanding customer interaction, supported by great local facilities.”