THE first-ever South West Surrey Farmers' Market, held on Sunday at Secretts in Milford, has been hailed a huge success, with more than double the number of visitors expected turning up on the day.

However, the unexpected surge of interest in the market, which featured some 20 stalls and attracted between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors, led to problems with car parking and congestion on the access roads.

Many visitors reported taking as long as an hour to get out of the car park, while others complained they had not had a chance to browse round the stalls because it was so crowded.

Waverley Borough Council, which organised the event, has promised to address these problems before the next market in July.

Iain Lynch, Waverley's corporate services manager and market co-ordinator, said: "More than 500 people had arrived by the time the market was due to open at 10-30 am. Based on research on farmers' markets elsewhere, we had optimistically forecast that between 3,000 and 4,000 people would come along.

"In the event we were amazed by the response as more than double this number turned up."

Mr Lynch admitted the interest in the market had resulted in some congestion on the approach roads and within the site at peak times.

He said: "We were staggered at the level of interest and amazed at the number of people who turned up to find out what it was all about.

"We know there were a few problems and we are looking at ways of improving the layout so people have room to move more freely, as it was a little bit crowded."

He continued: "We will also be addressing the car parking and congestion problems to ensure these teething troubles are not repeated at the next market in July and we will be improving the layout to cater for additional producers who wish to participate in future markets."

Mr Lynch said many producers had already approached him about having a stall at the next market. He explained: "Customers were asking for more organic and vegetable producers at future markets.

"There has already been interest from four additional organic producers and a vegetarian cheese producer, which is good because these products were under-represented at the first market."

The market was also hailed an outstanding success by the 20 stallholders offering a variety of produce, from organic sausages to champagne cider and locally produced charcoal, to traditionally milled flour, with traditional English ale, a pig roast and specially grown mushrooms as well as locally grown herbs and shrubs, on offer.

Stallholder Jan White, who runs Cartref Farm in Vann Common, Fernhurst, with her husband, Bryan, said the farmers' market was a "wonderful opportunity" for local producers.

Mrs White, who sold herbs, perennials and hanging baskets at the market, said it had been an "excellent day" although it had been a "bit crowded".

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