Maidenhead & Windsor

The tantalising tastes and smells of Italian food and produce will be wafting through Maidenhead High Street later this month with the arrival of the town's first Italian market.

On Friday and Saturday (April 21 and 22) the Maidenhead pedestrianised area will be transformed by the arrival of the green, red and white-themed stalls offering everything shoppers would expect from a traditional market in the hills of Tuscany or the streets of Rome.

Mouth-watering cheeses, cured meats and pasta, dried fruits and nuts, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, breads, focaccias and savouries will be jostling for attention and, for those with a sweet tooth, there will be a delicious range of biscuits, pastries and ice cream. Also on sale will be non-food products, such as hand-made soaps and jewellery.

Cllr Vicky Howes, chairman of Maidenhead Town Partnership, said: "Our policy of three visiting markets a year means that they retain a novelty factor and stay popular with the town's customers. We work closely with the shops in the High Street to ensure that local businesses can benefit from the increased footfall without being inconvenienced by their presence."

Martin Fletcher, Maidenhead town manager, said: "The French markets we have held in the past have always proved popular but a number of people told us they would like to have a taste of Italy for a change. I have been impressed by the range and quality of goods that this market sells and look forward to seeing their colourful stalls brightening up our town centre."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead