SHOPS reported a boost in trade when the inaugural street market was held in Sherwood last weekend.

The launch of the monthly markets also brought the unveiling of a new community notice board, which doubles as a piece of public art.

It was designed by artists Sophie Robins and Rachel Ainley, who originally won £1,000 to create a mosaic bench in the city council's Grab A Grand competition in 2008.

The bench evolved into a metal notice board in the shape of a tree with mosaic foliage.

Designer and textile artist Rachel, who had a stall at Saturday's market, said: "It is another landmark that reflects the artistic nature of the local Sherwood community."

Dawn Stanley, who runs Nibbles sandwich shop with partner Aziz Dabanloo, said of the market: "I wish they could do it every week. It was a lovely atmosphere. I haven't seen that many people wandering around Sherwood for a long time. We ran out of everything. We didn't have a thing left in the shop. In fact, I had to go and buy a load of cobs from the Co-op because we ran out.

"Saturday is normally the quietest day of the week. We were a third up on normal."

The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the mm...deli shop, where free samples of birthday cake and savoury food were given out.

Janet Heinemann opened the deli to sell good meat-free food, including many items that were not available in Nottingham at the time.

She said: "There was a really good turnout. I was too busy to even see the market but some of my friends went up there and thought it was really good."

Peter Maxfield, neighbourhood action officer for Sherwood, said many people who visited the market lived outside the area.

"I talked to someone who got off the bus when they were going through from Arnold."

He hopes that now that people have seen what the area has to offer, they will visit it even when the market is not on.

Markets will be held from 10am to 2pm on every second Saturday of the month, continuing until the end of August. To ask about a stall, call Mr Maxfield on 0115 915 1394 or e-mail peter.maxfield@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.