AN Andover market group which donates a chunk of its profits to the community each year will close next month.

Andover Home Produce and Craft Market has held weekly meetings at the Rendezvous in Union Street for seven years but will shut in March, saying it can no longer afford to cover its running costs.

The group, which meets every Friday morning, sells a variety of homemade goods, knitted clothing, crafts and cakes.

Secretary Margaret Kerston said she was “devastated” at the decision.

She said: “Our aim has always been to support local charities and groups but at the moment we can’t support ourselves.

“Unfortunately after seven years we have to close. We don’t want to but we can’t afford to pay the rent anymore.

“We are devastated because we have been going for many years and it will be hard, particularly for our regulars, who come here every week not just to buy things but also to socialise. We have all made very good friends down here over the years.”

The group donates 15 per cent of its earnings each year to a chosen charity in the town. In the past up to £500 has been given to local branches of charities such as Shop Mobility and Andover Stroke Club.

Before the market shuts it will host its final cheque presentation on Friday, 6 March at 10.30am, when it will donate the money raised in 2014-15 to Andover Lip-Readers, which provides support to the deaf and hard of hearing in the town. The last market session will be on Friday, 20 March.