MALDON Country Market has closed after 16 years of trading.

The market, which was set up in 2000 as the WI Market, closed permanently at Christmas due to a lack of young blood.

Held in Maldon Town Hall, the market sold good quality home backed cakes and savouries, plants, vegetables and fruits, as well as various crafts.

Marion Condon, of Chelmer Terrace, was one of the producers at the market and thanked those who had attended over the years.

She said: “We would like to thank all our customers for their friendship, support and custom over the past few years and for their cards and gifts and good wishes we received on our last day of opening. Thank you all very much, we will miss you.

“Over the years customers have dwindled. Some taking on the challenge of baking for themselves thanks to motivation from Mary Berry whilst others have become too frail to visit us.

“Like our customers we, the producers have become older, had our share of illness or had to commit more time to caring for aged family or babysitting grandchildren.

“It has been impossible, despite out best efforts, to recruit younger producers and so we decided to close permanently at Christmas.”