Baildon Farmers’ Market has reached the final of the prestigious Farma Farmers’ Market of the Year awards.

The popular market, which takes place again this Saturday, has triumphed over competition from across the UK to make it to the final half dozen The market in the Ian Clough Car park was assessed on many strict criteria which included a visit by a mystery shopper.

Rita Exner, a judge and secretary of Farma, a co-operative of farmers, producers selling on a local scale, and farmers’ markets organisers, said: “Becoming a Farms Awards finalist is a great achievement for all involved in the Baildon Farmers’ Market, organisers and stallholders – particularly as it is a relatively new market.”

The result will be announced on Tuesday.

The market, which has recently celebrated its first anniversary, is run by Baildon Town Council through a group of volunteers, which includes members of Baildon Belles Women’s Institute, town councillors and representatives from businesses and farming.

Town councillor and market committee chairman Gill Dixon said: “I believe people come to Baildon Farmers’ Market because they can be sure of the origin and quality of the food they buy.

“Shoppers can chat to the people who have produced the food, and be confident that they are buying the best – often at prices below those in the supermarkets as there are no go-between wholesalers – by shopping local.”

The market takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month between 9am and 1pm.

Its website – baildonfarmers market.org – designed by market volunteer and Baildon Belle Sara Mogford of Assembly Marketing has now gone live.