PENRITH has a new attraction for shoppers – an artisan market held on the third Saturday of each month.

Twenty-six traders, all Cumbrian, supported the first Gifted Eden event in St Andrew's Churchyard this weekend.

The products on sale ranged from cheese to chocolate, chutneys, crafts and jewellery, and there were musicians to provide entertainment and free face-painting for children.

Among the shoppers was Heidi Ware, 39, of Eamont Bridge, who was there with her six-year-old daughter Rosa.

Mrs Ware said: “I think it's absolutely wonderful. There are some top-class goods on sale. Everything is local and it's very friendly.

“It is bringing people into the town and I will definitely be back.”

Barry Dixon, 68, of Pele Court, Penrith, agreed.

He said: “We saw the market advertised and came out to have a look.

"It's a bit unusual to have a market in a churchyard but it's all local stuff. It's a good thing.”

Traders were satisfied with their takings, given this was the first time that the market had been held.

Helen Tomkins, of Hallsford Farm Produce near Longtown, said: “It has been slow but the people who have come have been interested.

“They want to know about the farm, what we do and the traceability of the meat. A lot have said they didn't know the market was on and found it by accident. More people will come when they know it's here.”

Chris Rigby, of Choco-Lori in Grange-over-Sands, told a similar story.

He said: “It has been okay for a first market. It has not been as busy as we'd like but most of the people who have tried the chocolates have bought. We will be back.”

Gifted Eden is organised by Eden Council, supported by Penrith Chamber of Trade and the Penrith Partnership, with logistics provided by Made in Cumbria.

Beth Ritchie, an events assistant with the council, expects the market to gather momentum.

She said: “A market is one of those things that has to be allowed to grow but we have been keeping records and can say that footfall is up on compared with a normal Saturday.”

More information is online at www.giftededen.co.uk.