FORRES TOUN MERCAT is heading for a sell out in the town next month with interest in taking up stalls far exceeding the 2012 event.

With a month still to go for the event in the town’s High Street the market is now heading for a bumper year.

Taking place on June 19 the Toun Mercat is the local highlight of Scottish Week, held in June every three years and coordinated by the Forres Community Activities Association (FCAA).

Rachel Philp, from Philp’s Fine Food, is helping to organise the event this year on behalf of the FCAA said she is pleasantly surprised at the interest so far.

She said: “It’s my first year living in Forres, my first year as a high street retailer, but I’ve been visiting Forres for many years and have always enjoyed the Toun Mercat.

“I’m delighted to have so many applicants, but there is room for plenty more before we reach the heyday numbers of the olden days.

“The theme this year is times gone past, so we are encouraging people do dress their stalls, or themselves around the theme, which could be anything from the stone-age to the sixties.”

Rachel is urging more local businesses to get involved and make the event the success it deserves, adding: “One thing I’ve learned is that people really do look forward to the Toun Mercat, but it’s up to businesses get out and make it special.”

Also helping is Debbie Herron from Forres Area Community Trust, who is managing the entertainment – and she is appealing to anyone interested in performing on the night to contact her at FACT.

Stalls at the Toun Mercat are £15 and Forres High Street retailers will be given priority space outside their own shops.

A form can be downloaded from: http://www.forresarea.org/tounmercat, or picked up from the FACT office on Leys Road or Philp’s Fine Foods and Canary Dwarf on the High Street.