THE Wey Hill market was in full swing on Saturday, despite heavy rain. Shop owners had stalls outside selling everything from handmade items, locally grown produce, art, bric-a-brac to candles and jewellery.

Deputy mayor Sahran Abeysundara, who co-ordinates the monthly artisan market – and who also has a stall outside his shop, The Silk Road – told The Herald: “The market is always successful despite the weather.

“Haslemere was always renowned for being a market town for centuries and we are trying to re-establish it as a market town.

“The market brings people into the town, to shop locally and with independent shops.”

He added that at one time most of the shops on Wey Hill used to have front gardens where stalls were set up, and although these have now been Tarmaced over, still belong to some shops, allowing trade to continue.