Council bosses have announced that a popular street market will return to the Newlands shopping centre in Witham this weekend as they try to encourage new traders to do business in the town.

The scheme was first trialled by Braintree Council as a one-off event in September last year.

It is hoped the extra stalls will revitalise the regular market, which runs every Saturday in Lockram Lane car park.

Councillor Tom Cunningham said: “Having an attractive, vibrant and modern market adds huge value to the economic, social and cultural fabric of town centres so we’d encourage as many residents and visitors to spend the day in Witham and enjoy what’s on offer in the town.”

Witham Town Council clerk James Sheehy added: “Witham Town Council commends Braintree Council on this forward-thinking initiative to support our local area as a destination of choice and we hope our local citizens will take advantage of this exciting attraction.”

Saturday’s market is the second of three that have been scheduled to take place this summer.