Young traders from across the South West will gather in Wells on Thursday 25 July for a day of trading at the Regional Finals of the Young Traders Market.

The one-off market in Wells organised by the National Federation of Market Trading (NMTF) will feature 25 to 35 market stalls owned and ran by the next generation of market traders.

The NMTF is a national body for market and street traders, events retailers and mobile caterers. They offer memberships with business support, liability cover, legal advice and exclusive member areas.

They also work on projects and campaigns such as the Young Traders Market to promote the industry to ensure its future is secure.

The Young Traders Market aims to nurture young talent, promote market trading and encourage young entrepreneurs to trade at the nations markets.

NMTF's CEO Joe Harrison said: "We have a great retail markets industry in the UK and many of the biggest names in the retail sector, from Marks & Spencer to, more recently, Matalan and The Range, started up from a market stall.

"But to make sure markets thrive in the years to come we have to encourage new blood, young entrepreneurs with fresh ideas, on to our markets."

He explained that the NMTF had run the programme on a smaller scale last year, with youth markets in the north and regional finals in Leeds and Manchester before the national final in Stratford-upon-Avon.

"We're really looking forward to our South West regional final in Wells and we're grateful to Mendip District Council for hosting the event."

Mendip Markets run seven markets a week throughout the district and features more than 100 traders.

Some of Mendip Markets young traders have entered the competition including Pandan Catering, TNC Cakes, HD Mini, Polly Victoria Vintage Jewellery and Moist.

Cllr Nick Cottle, portfolio holder for neighbourhood services and judge of the regional finals, said: ''I'm honoured to judge at this year's regional finals.

"It will be challenging to decide who gets through to the finals, as the quality of all the young traders competing is exceptional.

"However, I am really looking forward to the event to see the variety of businesses from across the South West trading in Wells."

Polly Victoria Vintage Jewellery is one of Wells' regular market traders and has entered this year's competition.

Polly sells high quality second hand jewellery and was a finalist at this year's Mendip Business Awards for Market Trader of the Year.

She said: "This is the first year that I've entered the Young Trader competition.

"I'm extremely excited to see what stalls will be trading at the event and keeping my fingers crossed that I will be lucky enough to get a place for the national final later on this summer at Stratford-upon-Avon.

"I've been running Polly Victoria Vintage for the past seven years and to get the chance to get this kind of recognition would be incredible."

Mendip Markets is keen for traders aged 16 to 30 to trade at this special, one-off market. Visit www.nmtf.co.uk/campaigns/young-traders-market to register your business and trade for free in Wells on 25 July. Feel free to email [email protected] if you have any questions.

The South West Regional Final will take place in Wells Market Place on Thursday 25 July from 9am to 3pm.