A POPULAR Farmers' and Fair Trade market will use a bespoke minibus service. 

In the face of a public transport system that market organisers describe as "patchy at best and non-existent at worst" are seeking funding to run their own minibus to areas as far away as Gosforth and Millom.

Chairman Helen Shipton-Smith said: "We have found a volunteer driver and ran the minibus for the July market. We would like to continue with this and extend how far we can reach."

She said there has been interest from as far away as Millom and she believed that people using the minibus would also take the opportunity to visit other attractions in the Egremont area such as the Florence Art Centre.

The bus could also be used to pick up people from the immediate area who were not able to get to the market hall.

"We want to support those who would like to come to this community market. Apart from bringing people into the town, this could also be a benefit to those who are lonely or isolated."

The market ran the minibus last month, for the first time since the pandemic, and brought people in from Muncaster, Bootle and Ravensglass.

Passengers are asked to make a donation of £3 if possible.

The Egremont market is held on the third Friday of each month, except November and December when a second market I added on the first Friday,

To find out more, or to book a place on the minibus, contact Helen on 07901790734.