Yorkshire Youth Market is up and running in Leeds for Yorkshire Day

Yorkshire Youth Market is happening today in Leeds Kirkstall Market. Picture by Jordan Gawthorpe.

40 of Yorkshire's finest traders aged between 16 and 30 have set up their stalls at Kirkgate Market in Leeds today, August 1.

Those taking part were selected from youth markets ran by NMTF, the national trade association for market traders, alongside local authorities.

Ben Newton, 19, from Sheffield runs Retro Football 99, a business selling vintage football shirts.

He said: "“I find that markets are the best way to get my products out there. It’s great to interact with people and find out what works and what doesn’t – there’s nothing like getting face to face with customers.”

Representatives from Barnsley, Doncaster, Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Rotherham, Wakefield and York will join Ben at the Yorkshire Youth Market.

A winner will be crowned Yorkshire's Young Trader of the year at the end of the event and three Highly Commended trophies will be awarded.

Joe Harrison, chief executive of the NMTF, said: “The event is a real demonstration of the potential of the region’s markets to support young entrepreneurs to test, grow, and launch a lean business.“Yorkshire is leading the way in the UK, this event is the first of its kind in the country. ”

Judging will be carried out by market industry experts and at least one trader from every area will be offered a pitch on the National Youth Market in Stratford-upon-Avon on August 31 and September 1.

To celebrate God's Own Country there will be a World Record Attempt for the most flat-caps in one place between 12 noon and 1pm.

Live music will be performed by locals throughout the day and free arts and crafts stands will be available.

The Yorkshire Youth Market is taking place between 10am and 4pm. More information about be found online at https://www.nmtf.co.uk/yoyoma.