OTLEY Country Market has closed after a 35 year run.

The group's markets have been held in the town, offering a variety of homemade food and crafts along with selections of vegetables, flowers and more, each month since March 9, 1983.

The venture started up following a meeting of the Chevin Group of the Women's Institute, which was attended by representatives from other local WI branches, in 1982.

It later became part of Country Markets Ltd and has been run on a co-operative basis ever since, with volunteers bringing in their contributions to each event.

The first Otley Country Market was held at the Civic Centre and it then moved to the Scout Hut on Burras Lane, the St John Ambulance Hall on Gay Lane and, finally, Otley Labour Rooms on Walkergate.

Member Sarah Freeman said dwindling numbers were to blame for the market's end.

She said: "We've been going for 35 years but the producers are all getting on and we haven't been attracting new ones to replace them, so we couldn't cope with carrying on.

"It's quite sad for us and for our customers, but although the Otley market is now closed we're still operating a stall at Horsforth and at Headingley Farmers Markets."

The Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer ran an article about the group in 2013 to mark its 30th anniversary celebrations.

Longstanding member Winnie Smith told the newspaper at the time: "We enjoy baking and making things, and it's also a chance to meet people and sell them things they're interested in, and really appreciate.

"There's definitely an appreciation of home-made cooking and of the crafts."

*A recent Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer article gave details about an Otley Country Market taking place at the Labour Rooms on Friday, August 3. That event is no longer taking place.