Mansfield Market will be celebrating the national Love Your Local Market fortnight with a range of activities and entertainment for all ages between Wednesday, 14th and Wednesday, 28th May.

On Saturday, 17th May one trader will demonstrate how to create the perfect hanging basket with tips and ideas on colour combinations and the best plants to use.

On Saturday, 24th May, shoppers can pick up recipe ideas and sample free food professionally cooked live in the Market Place using fresh produce from stallholders. Visitors can learn how to get the most out of their veg and cook up something tasty for all the family.

Activities will take place at various times between 11am and 3pm on both Saturdays. There will be free face painting for children.

Throughout the fortnight, people can pick up a copy of an activity sheet, which includes competitions for all ages. There are five different activities, including a hunt for the hidden hearts and vote for the best dressed stall, each with a prize of a £20 voucher to spend on Mansfield Market.

Sheets are available from the Town Hall, market traders or at www.mansfield.gov.uk/lylm

Free reusable fabric shopping bags will be handed out throughout the fortnight (while stocks last).

As part of the campaign, MDC is offering incentives for new and existing traders.

New traders can trade for free for one week of the fortnight. This is on top of the existing incentive, which allows new traders one week of free trading each month for the first four months.

Existing traders can sign up for half price rent for one week of the Love Your Local Market fortnight.

Coun Kate Allsop, portfolio holder for economic regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to show their support for Mansfield Market and get some tips and ideas on using market produce. We hope that people will make that extra effort to come down and shop during Love Your Local Market fortnight and continue to support the market all year round.”