EASTLEIGH is set to host its first international market.

An international-themed market is to come to Eastleigh for the first time from May 8 to 13.

The initiative will offer residents the opportunity to experience exotic cuisines and crafts.

Market Place in the town centre will host more than 15 traders from across the world mostly from mainland Europe.

They all specialise in their national foods and products ranging from German sausages to Spanish paella and from Italian textiles to Indonesian wood carvings.

The range of stalls already confirmed include Greek food, speciality burgers and sausage, sweets, fudges, olive oils and balsamic vinegars, paella and chorizo sausage rolls, Jamaican products, exotic plants, German sausages, Italian textiles, handmade garden furniture, ceramics, children’s wood plaques and chilli sauces.

The mayor of Eastleigh, councillor Mo Sollitt, welcomed the news.

She said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the International Street Market to Eastleigh town centre as part of our ongoing support and investment in our town.

“I encourage local people to come along and enjoy the exciting range of food and crafts on offer.”

The international market will run alongside the usual Thursday and Saturday market.

Meanwhile, the car boot sale will be running at reduced capacity in Leigh Road Car Park only while the international market is on.

The initiative will run from 9am to 5.30pm daily.

The international markets will make two further appearances in Eastleigh this year from August 6 to August 12

and from October 8 to October 14.