The county's first food assembly will open in Cockermouth on Friday.

People will be able to go online and buy a selection of local products from a range of places, then pick them all up from one venue.

The new venture is being driven by Sue Cliff, treasurer of the town's country market, which meets every Friday in the United Reformed Church on Main Street.

More than 100 people have signed up so far. Goods can be collected from the URC the following Friday, between 7pm and 9pm.

Producers that have signed up so far include Low Stanger Farm, Cockermouth, which supplies fruit and veg; Helen's Herbs, from Cleator Moor; Deer and Dexter from Penrith; and Fiends Fell, a gluten free bakery, from Penrith. The country market goods will also be available to buy.

Sue said: "We have had a fantastic response and lots of people signing up. Lots of producers are interested too and we are hoping it will grow and grow.

"It costs nothing to join and there is no minimum spend."

Food assemblies started five years ago in France. There are 20 in the UK. The weekly country market, which runs from 9am to 12.30am, has been running for more than 50 years and will continue alongside the food assembly.

Sue said: "We never know what demand there will be for our products. If people can pre-order online it will be much easier."