INDEPENDENT businesses served up some early festive treats at a Christmas market of home-grown goods.

Retailers on Langdale Court, in Witney town centre, came together on Saturday to showcase their products, while also celebrating the walkway's 30th birthday.

The market offered a treasure trove of delights, from food and beer tastings to exhibitions of local art.

It was also a promotional opportunity for shop owners on the walkway, with some previously concerned their location, between the Market Square and Waitrose, meant residents would walk through without stopping.

The market was the brainchild of several small businesses working together, including art gallery SOTA Gallery UK.

Owner, Jennifer Harrison, from Brize Norton, believes the day helped grow the profile of small businesses on Langdale Court.

She said: "The aim was for people to know that everything we do is local and British.

"Everyone's come together to try to bring the avenue to life.

"We had a lot of people come down who didn't know we were here.

"Hopefully it'll help us, because we're a bit tucked away."

SOTA sells a wide range of original art, sculpture, ceramics, prints and jewellery, with some of its artists holding demonstrations on the day.

Mrs Harrison added that she hoped the market would improve footfall in the run up to Christmas, with Langdale Court's 30th birthday the perfect excuse to hold the event.

The walkway features several independent shops, cafe and restaurants, with many offering visitors a taste of their specialities on Saturday.

Gift shop A Tasteful Experience, one of the newest businesses to Langdale Court, served mince pies and Prosecco and held a raffle in aid of Helen & Douglas House Hospice.

Another recent addition, Oxbrew micro pub and brewery, held tastings of some of its beers brewed in Enstone, near Chipping Norton.

Food tastings came courtesy of Wates & Co Delicatessen, while Nortons Cafe sold mulled wine to get shoppers into the Christmas spirit.

Businesses of all types played their part, with Seahorse Dry Cleaners offering people discount vouchers.