Oxford's own farmers' market is, it appears, the city's best-kept secret. Despite existing for over a year, farmers say trade has only recently begun to pick up as word of mouth spreads news about the array of fresh, locally produced, quality goods available.

Variety is not the problem. The goods vary from fresh, free-range eggs, to freshly-baked bread, honeys, fish, meat and cheeses - and an entire stall is dedicated to selling fresh home-grown apple juice.

But trade at Oxford's farmers' market has been slower than at similar events in the county, partly because of traffic troubles in the city, farmers say.

The traditional Gloucester Green market has been boosted by the arrival of fresh local produce from the region's farmers on the first Thursday of every month for the last year. But while trade is picking up, some farmers still believe parking and access problems in the city were not conducive for a thriving market.

Farmers' markets in Abingdon, Thame, and Witney have so far proved more successful.

Sally Forster, who owns the Baker's Basket in Long Crendon, near Thame, sells a huge variety of freshly-baked bread, including traditional English loaves and continental specialities such as foccaccia and sour dough.

She said: "We've been here since the first one. Trade has been good. But Oxford is different to the other markets because it's quite hard to get into the city because of traffic and the parking problems.

"I think this one has also suffered from lack of publicity - people don't seem to know we are here, even a year on. It is picking up though."

Michael Eadle, a pig farmer based in Beckley and Horspath, said: "I've been trading over a year in Gloucester Green. It has been successful. Farming is in a very poor state. If it was not for farmers' markets like this one we would be in a very sorry state.

"The people are finally starting to find out about this one in Oxford - each time we come it is better. People would rather shop like this than in a supermarket."

Apple juice producer Jeremy Benson, of Sherborne, near Burford, said: "It's not the best market for me. It's okay, but Witney is better for selling apple juice.

Regular customer Simon Wratten, of Oxford, said: "I do prefer to shop in this way. The produce is very good.

My wife found out about it and sent me along. I always buy cheese, bread and vegetables from here. If it was better used by the people of Oxford perhaps the traders would come here more often."

Market operators EG Skett say the market is well advertised, but the budget for promoting it is limited. Paul Skett, a partner, said farmers' markets did better in small towns because parking was easier.

"Anyone that comes to Oxford is really aware of the expense of parking and unlikely to come specially for the farmers' market," he said. "What it does add to Oxford is something different. That's all we are trying to achieve."