CYCLING and a farmers' market won't mix in Winchester this June.

One of the most popular farmers’ markets on the High Street has been cancelled because of a clash with the Criterium & Cycle Fest.

The June 11 market will not be held , loyal shoppers won’t be making their early morning start to purchase their favourite food and drink from the county’s local producers in the city.

Alex Handford, business manager at Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, said: “It is with great disappointment Winchester City Council have moved the Winchester Criterium & Cycle Fest from the first Sunday of June to the second Sunday on the day our market falls. Sadly we have been instructed to cancel our Sunday June 11 market and this is advance notice.”

The reason given by the council for moving the Criterium & Cycle Fest to the second Sunday is so that the Antique Market can continue to trade uninterrupted on the first Sunday of the month.

Ms Handford added: “To drop even just one market will have a detrimental impact on our primary producers who work tirelessly to bring locally produced food to Winchester twice monthly.”

Rachel Waldron of Beechcroft Farm near Winchester is just one of the regular producers at Winchester’s Farmers’ Market. She said: “The cancellation of the mid June Winchester market has come as a massive blow to us. We rely heavily on this market, as do our customers.

"In business terms it will be very detrimental to us. Many of our customers travel some distance to buy from us at market. We are very disappointed for them.”

The market dates throughout the rest of this month and May remain uninterrupted on April 30 and 14th and May 14 and 28, 9am to 2pm.

Ms Handford added: “We want to thank our customers for their continued support and please feel free to lobby your councillors and Winchester City Council in support of your farmers’ market to ensure this situation doesn’t arise again”.

A city council spokesman responded: "Winchester is a busy place with many popular events especially on summer weekends. The City Council strives to accommodate a wide range of varied activities.

"June 11 was chosen as the date for the Winchester Criterium and Cyclefest 2017 to avoid other large events in the city planned for June 4 – ‘Race for Life’ and events planned by Winchester Cathedral and Hampshire County Council.

"Road closures needed for the cycle event mean it is not practical to hold the farmers’ market at the same time. The Antiques Market was cancelled to allow for the Criterium on a previous occasion.

"Hampshire Farmers’ Market was informed of the Criterium date in August 2016 and alternative dates have been offered. We are sorry that none of these is considered suitable."