The town hall at Los Silos in the north west corner of the island hopes to have the organic market up and running by March of next year.

The market will operate on Sunday mornings, though whether it will be a weekly, fortnightly or monthly event has still to be decided.

A new farmers market created in the heart of the traditional agricultural area on the island of Tenerife is proving to be a shrewd development.

In the heart of the Orotava Valley in the town of La Orotava, the unofficial agricultural capital of the island for centuries, the new purpose-built market opened last month and has already established a popular following with locals and visitors alike.

Nearly €300,000 was invested in a 1,500 square metre site to provide a covered market area big enough to house 40 stalls, together with a children’s playground, cafe/bar and parking for over 100 cars.

The market, which runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 8.30am to 3pm, sells a good range of local produce and crafts, including fruit and vegetables, cheeses, honey, bread, cakes, eggs, wine, plants and flowers.

At over 4,500ft above sea level, Vilaflor is also Spain´s highest town. Inevitably, the new market will also become the country’s highest.

Vilaflor may be remote but it sits astride the well-trodden tourist route leading from the busy resorts of the south to the island’s crowning glory, Mount Teide.

The new market will start with eight permanent stalls, where tourists and islanders will be able to buy locally grown and produced almonds, cheeses, local cakes and wines as well as examples of the town’s traditional lacework, known as ‘rosetas’.

Initially, the market will be open at weekends only, though a definite starting date has still to be decided on.