TRADITIONAL farmers’ markets in Oxfordshire could be replicated thousands of miles away in South Korea.

A group of South Koreans visited some of the county’s farms who sell direct to the public, to taste their produce.

And they were so impressed with what they saw they are taking the idea back home with them.

The team from the Institute of the 21st Century Corea Research (ICR) was on a flying three-day visit to England to look at local food systems.

They were invited to learn more about Deddington Farmers’ Market, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Three South Koreans visited Home Farm, Clifton, run by George Fenemore, Iron Down Farm, Deddington, run by Tony Collier, and Mark Stay, of North Aston Organics, North Aston, to meet the entrepreneurial farmers who have made successful businesses by selling their produce direct to residents at local markets and shops.

Deddington market organiser Geoff Todd, who set up the venture a decade ago, said: “They have been impressed by what they have seen locally.

Mr Stay, who runs a weekly home delivery vegetable box scheme and sells produce at Deddington market, said: “They are suffering industrialisation of agriculture and food production in South Korea and are looking for answers.”