Heathfield's annual Le Marche French market in pictures

That's when the gourmet contingent from Normandy rolled into town to set up their stalls at the town's annual Le Marche French market.

Gallic traders displayed their wares alongside local producers and traders. The aroma of garlic-infused sizzling seafood mingled with the scents of Provencal lavender and fragrant Marseille soaps. There was plenty of opportunity to pick up French-grown purple garlic, coarse-grained country sausages and baked goods with that distinctively French textured, buttery flavour.

Heathfield and environs were well represented in the wine stakes too with Beacon Down, Tilsmore and Hidden Spring vineyards offering tasting samples alongside beers from Three Acre Brewery, shortly to set up their first 'pub' in Heathfield High Street.

Rev Vicky Martin was busy providing free teas and coffees to all comers at Union church. Prizes were also on offer in competitions such as the Human Fruit Machine, tombolas and raffles by community groups such as local Scout troops. Magicians kept children royally entertained in State Hall, while talented Angela Brooks' Cake and Wine Club choir provided yet more music from a specially created bandstand.

Le Marche dates back to the early 1990s when Wealden District Council's then chair, Valerie Chidson, invited French traders to bring produce across the Channel.

In early 1997 she brought together a volunteer committee of local traders, residents and councillors who helped create the concept of Le Marche. It has gone from strength to strength since then and even survived the difficulties of cross-Channel trade posed by Brexit.

Entry was free and there was also a free 'park and ride' service to the centre of town. Many High Street shops opened for the day and some dressed overall in the red, white and blue of the Tricolour. Organisers said visitors, many from Kent and West Sussex, told them they liked the look of Heathfield and planned to come back later in the year for some serious mainstream shopping.