A COUNTRY market in Christchurch could be forced to close after 34 years due to a lack of committee members and customers.

The event, which is held at Druitt Hall every Monday morning, has seen a decline in visitor numbers over the past few months, says one of the organisers, Jane Low.

Now the market's secretary and treasurer are set to hand over the reins of Christchurch Country Market, which sells cakes, savouries, sweets, jams and chutneys, plants and crafts, but Jane added that there is nobody to take over responsibility.

A decision will be made at the market's AGM, which is being held on Tuesday, February 16, which could see committee members decide to close the country market for good.

She said: "We are not getting the same amount of people through the doors and we are not getting new producers.

"We are there every Monday from 9.30am to 11.30am and there's a street market on the same day. We are just a few yards from the main high street.

"There are even a few people in Christchurch who do not know that we are there.

"The current secretary and treasurer are leaving and we need new committee members. They don't have to make things, they could just help out at the country market."

Jane says that there are around 10 people who put on the country market, including 'five or six cooks, two or three people that sell flowers and plants and one or two people that do crafts.'

"There are other country markets in Dorset and I believe that some of them are having problems too."

Jane said that all of the people that make food for the country market have been checked out by the council and have received a food hygiene rating before being able to sell their wrapped food. She said that customers have always favoured the country market because the 'cooks' are able to list the ingredients and tell people how the food is made.

Anyone who can help at the country market is invited to come along and speak to the committee members on a Monday morning or visit the Christchurch Country Market website.