LIPHOOK village market is expanding to include a monthly food market which starts next weekend.

The new venture will offer fresh bread by the Liphook Bakery, a selection of cheeses and organic eggs, as well as hot food from a burito van and the Gurkha Durbar.

Millennium Centre manager Karen Feeney said: “We had quite a lot of interest from regular market stallholders and hope to expand the monthly market over the coming months.

“We would like to hear from anyone interested in setting up a stall and will, of course, continue with the existing indoor Artisan market offering fresh fruit and vegetables, pies and quiches as well as local produce and crafts.”

The free-to-enter Village and Food Market at the Millennium Centre will open on Saturday, March 12, from 10am to 2pm.

In addition, plans for a village day on the Millennium Green as well as the centre, to tie in with nationwide celebrations of the Queens’s 90th birthday, are being put together for Saturday, June 11.

The Deer’s Hut pub is planning to supply a beer tent and barbecue while Hollycombe Steam is planning to bring some of its vintage steam engines along for the big royal day.

“There will be a children’s tea party, bouncy castle, live entertainment as well as plenty of stalls which we are offering to anyone who is interested for free,” Karen added. “We are also encouraging local groups and charities to come along to exhibit and use the opportunity to attract more volunteers.

“The Village Day is aimed to be a celebration of life in the parish and to show what we have to offer, as well as tie in with the Queen’s celebrations.”