Stallholders are holding the event as part of the National Market Traders’ Federation campaign Making Markets Matter, a nationwide promotion to boost the UK’s 1,400 markets.

In Beverley market there will be fun activities for children including a prize vault, face painting and a visit from Victor the Lion, while older shoppers can try samples cooked up by a top chef.

The fun day will be opened at 10am by East Riding Council chairman Councillor Bryan Pearson.

John Dyson, secretary of the Beverley branch of the NMTF, said the event is part of a nationwide campaign aimed at attracting not only shoppers, but also new traders.

Mr Dyson said markets throughout the country are suffering from changing shopping patterns, and the traders are hoping to encourage more people to use their local market.

“Trade in general is struggling and we would like people to support the market. The campaign is aimed at attracting traders to the markets as well, because we need a variety of different traders.”

Coun Pearson said the market is a vital part of life in Beverley.

“The market we have in the town is at the very heart of Beverley and has been part of our town for centuries. It is a mixed market, it is an interesting market which is well run - the traders themselves are proud to be associated with it and I am proud to be associated with it,” he said.

“Markets have been struggling a bit for many years and the traders are aware of that and they are trying to vary the market and make it more interesting to pull people in, because buying patterns over the last 10 years have changed.

“It is too early to tell what the effects of the credit crunch will be, but it may auger well for the market which is a vital part of this town.”