Stalls groaned under the weight of home grown fruit and vegetables as a village hosted a community market.

Around 300 people flocked to Henderson Hall in High Street, Abbots Langley, for the Abbots Langley Transition Town Association’s market.

Watford Observer:

The organisation, which promotes sustainability and recycling in the village, hosted the event to show local people the range of produce available on their doorsteps.

Caroline Whate was one of the organisers of the market.

She said: "Saturday’s market was very successful indeed. Many people came and told me the market gets better every time.

"It’s a great social occasion as well, giving people a chance to catch up with friends they haven’t seen for a while.

"It’s a real boost to the community."

Members of the public had the chance to restock their larders from 14 stalls selling fruit and vegetables, fresh eggs, local honey, cakes, pies and sausage rolls from the local butchers.

Gardeners gave their excess apples, leeks, carrots and other produce to the transition town association’s stall so it could be sold.

Craft tables sold cards, home-made wrapping paper, knitted goods and even bags made from recycled clothes.

Watford Cycle Hub had a stall showing shoppers how they can maintain their bicycles. People also sat around on chairs and chatted over cups of locally roasted coffee.

The hall was busy from 10.30am until the event ended at 1pm, by which time all the stall holders had sold out of food.

The markets, which have been held three or four times a year since 2011, have grown increasingly popular, with organisers worrying they might have to turn stall holders away next time or find a bigger venue.

Mrs Whate added: "The aim of the market is to get people together and show them what’s available in Abbots Langley.

"We want to encourage people to grow their own, share their excess produce and use what is available in the wild.

"You don’t have to go outside the village to the supermarket to buy produce from who knows where."

Abbots Langley Transition Town Association hopes to hold its next market around Christmas time.