Cockermouth's weekly market is branching out and going online.

It is hoping other local producers will also sign up to be part of the Food Assembly.

Buyers can then go online and purchase a selection of different local products from a range of places, they will then be able to 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.

She said: "We have a limited customer base on Friday morning and want to reach out to others that cannot get to us, such as people that are working. We have looked at different ways of doing this and feel that with more and more people shopping online, this is the way to go.

"There are so many different products available locally but people do not want to have to travel around them all, they do not have the time.

"By creating a Food Assembly website, people can buy a range of goods and then pop in and pick them up between 7pm and 9pm on a Friday, in the URC.

"So the producers would come together once a week, their goods would already have been ordered and paid for."

Food Assemblies started five years ago in France. There are 20 in the UK. This would be Cumbria's first.

The weekly market runs from 9am to 12.30pm and offers a range of goods including cakes, breads, preserves, seasonal fruit and veg, crafts and jewellery.

It has been running for more than 50 years and will continue alongside the Food Assembly.

Sue, who is the Food Assembly host and baker of up to 100 cakes a week, said: "We never know what demand there will be for our products. If people can pre-order online it will be much easier.

"Setting up our own website would be too expensive. The Food Assembly one is there and you just have to upload what is available.

"All the producers I have spoken to so far are very interested. Anyone who is within 150 miles of the town can be involved."

She plans to launch the site in September and is keen to hear from anyone who would like to take part. Sue can be contacted at cockermouthfoodassembly@gmail.com