The fame of Barnston Farmers’ Market has spread so that customers came from as far away as London and Kent on Saturday for food, crafts, jams, hand-made wooden toys, venison and wine as well as pony rides and young animals to pet.

There was also a performance by the Bishop’s Stortford Ukulele Society Band.

The monthly market is now in its eleventh year at Great Garnetts Farm, owned by Julie and Jonathan Smith.

Julie said: “It was the busiest market of the year.”

Around 500 people turned up.

Farm secretary, Sarah Jackson said: “We provide free tea and coffee and so it becomes a community event and people like to meet here and catch up.”

The next market, on Saturday, November 12, will be the Christmas market and the last one of the year.

Customers will be able to order their Christmas turkey or gammon and collect them from the farm on December 23.

The market is held nine months of the year.

There is no event in December because the farm is too busy with its turkeys and none in January or August.

The markets run from 9.30am to 12.30pm on each occasion they are held.