NATIONAL Farmers' Market Week is to be launched with a gathering in the New Forest.

The first venue for the seven day UK-wide event is in Ringwood on Sunday, when 40 local producers will set out their stalls in The Furlongs from 10am until 2pm.

September has been named National Farmers' Market month when shoppers can celebrate all that is special about home-grown food.

James Pavitt, of the National Association of Farmers' Markets, said: "Autumn is traditionally the time to celebrate nature's bounty and local producers will be bringing the very best of this season's harvest to Ringwood."

Another farmers' market will be held in Ringwood on Sunday, November 9. There will also be a farmers' market in Hythe on October 12.