TAUNTON Town Council's Taunton Together event brought the "entire town centre to life", with arts and cultural events spread across several key locations.

The event, held on Saturday, September 28, set parts of the town buzzing, including Castle Green where the vibrant and bustling Taunton Independent Market was held as part of Taunton Together.

The Independent Market featured more than 60 stalls, with a wide array of local traders offering unique products and culinary delights from around the globe. Organisers said it was their busiest market yet.

Elsewhere in Goodland Gardens and Somerset Square, more entertainment was offered, including a temporary skate ramp and the chance to try out spray painting, courtesy of Aerosol Art.

A variety of top-notch food was on offer in Goodland Gardens, including award-winning pizza from Ludacrust and A Taste Of Syria from Alrayan Food.

Attendees of Taunton Together said a "sense of community and celebration resonated deeply throughout the day".

Market organiser Michelle Beck added: "The special edition of the Taunton Independent Market was one of the busiest markets ever recorded, with around 10,000 people coming onto Caste Green, and many of our traders selling out of their offerings completely.

"The energy and positivity on Castle Green, and indeed across the whole town centre on Sunday was palpable, and seeing so many people come together to support local traders and enjoy the diversity of our community was truly heartwarming.

"It's clear that events like these not only bring positivity and excitement to Taunton, but also significantly boost our local, town centre economy."

In addition to showcasing an eclectic mix of food and crafts, the Taunton Independent Market also featured a programme of live music throughout the day.

This event, organised by Tauton Town Council, "highlights the importance of community-centric initiatives and their positive impact on promoting cultural diversity and unity."

Looking forward, plans are already in motion for Taunton Together 2025 and the Taunton Independent Market will return to Castle Green on the second Sunday and the last Saturday of the month until Christmas, when it will take a short break before coming back in March.

The next Taunton Independent Market is on Sunday, October 13, from 10am until 3pm.