HALSTEAD’S monthly food and craft market is to return this month with familiar faces and a few new additions.

The first event of the year will be held on Market Hill, Halstead, on March 19, with following markets held on the third Saturday of each month.

Halstead Town Team brought new stallholders to the town last year, but responsibility has now been passed to Haylock Management Services, because its client, Chris Thompson, owns the royal charter which allows the market to exist.

Market manager Emily Moore, of HaylockManagement Services, said: “It’s just a continuation of what happened last year. The Town Team decided not to do the market in the winter months because of the weather. We will have most of the same stalls, with a couple of extras coming along to give it a go.”

Returning to their pitches will be traders selling fine chutneys and jams, cheese and pies, meat, fish, fresh veg, eggs, artisan bread, and dried fruit and nuts.

There will also be crafts, including scarves and jewellery, bags and woodcarvings from newcomers Wild Things.

Miss Moore said: “It will still be monthly, but with the addition of one in November and a December market as well.”

The market will run from 9am to 3pm.