Hitchin residents have known for years how good their market was, and now it has been recognised by organisers of the Market Of The Year Awards who decided it was officially the Best Private Market in Britain.

The award was presented by Rosie Winterton, the government minister for markets. Hitchin Market received the award after receiving the most votes from the public.

Could you ever imagine Hitchin hosting a round of world rally car racing? The streets would be turned into race tracks with super charged cars racing across the town square, past beautiful old buildings and ancient churches. Try to conjure up the smell of oil and petrol and burning rubber in our quiet town. Well, it has already happened!