A GRANDFATHER who makes toys out of recycled wood has been refused membership of a farmers’ market group — because his products are not deemed “local enough”.

Don Young, 70, of Williamson Way, Rose Hill, Oxford, digs out unwanted tables, chairs and dressers from neighbours and friends and carves the wood into rocking horses, train sets and trucks.

Mr Young already runs a stall at Wallingford and East Oxford markets.

But he has been left baffled after his 100 per cent recycled wood business was refused membership of the Thames Valley Farmers’ Market Co-operative.

Mr Young, who has four children, a foster daughter and seven grandchildren, said: “They told me my produce does not meet the criteria. I got a letter back saying at least 20 per cent of the raw material had to be sourced locally.

“My point is — it is. All the wood I use is found from Oxford, or elsewhere in the county.”

Last night, the Thames Valley Farmers’ Market (TVFMC), which runs events in Abingdon, Chipping Norton and Witney, admitted Mr Young did not meet its criteria. A spokesman said: “TVFMC operates markets to sell food and drink grown, reared, produced, baked and smoked within the Thames Valley and 30 mile radius of markets.

“TVFMC has a few craft members, for example wicker works, where at least 20 per cent of the raw material is sourced locally. Products made from recycled wood for which the original provenance is not known are not sold at our farmers’ markets.”

Mr Young, who said he was a keen recycler, said: “It’s ridiculous. You get people selling flowers, which are grown locally, but the seeds are sourced from overseas, yet they’re allowed.

“People waste so much wood and that is a crying shame.

“I wanted to do something good with all of it, which people can enjoy, and make sure it wasn’t wasted.

“One of my grandchildren still has one of the trains I made him — and that was 21 years ago.”