The Maldon district is set to host its first-ever vegan market next month, which will see Promenade Park filled with a range of ethical and sustainable vegan food stalls and street vendors.

The Maldon Vegan Market will take place on Saturday, 19 March and will feature a variety of artisan bakes, craft cheeses and vegan street food alongside handmade cosmetics, ethical clothing and jewellery, arts and crafts and charity stalls.

The event has been organised by the Vegan Market Company (VMCO) in efforts to make veganism more accessible and inclusive for residents.

Lewis Beresford, founder of VMCO, said: "We are so excited to be coming to Maldon for the first time.

"We work hard to find the country's leading vegan producers - from street food vendors and bakers to ethical clothing and cosmetic producers.

"We also work with many local businesses and can't wait to give all of these fantastic producers the platform they deserve and to introduce them to the wonderful people of the Maldon district.

"It is our mission to showcase some of the country's best ethical and sustainable producers and make it our mission to make veganism accessible and inclusive.

"We are also proud to be promoting sustainable lifestyle choices with our events and supporting local communities to discover veganism and ethical shopping."

Zeb and Harriet, owners of the vegan-friendly Gnome Café in Maldon, said: "As a newly-opened vegan business in the heart of Maldon High Street, we are so excited to be joining many other like-minded businesses for this event.

"We hope the vegan market continues to drive the conversation of environmental ethics and sustainability in Maldon and gets people to try something new."

The market will run from 10.30am to 4pm.