THE combination of sunshine and the market meant the town was buzzing.

Parking proved difficult but with patience we were not really inconvenienced.

This venue came highly recommended. We can understand why. There is a slight step from the pavement, otherwise wheelchair access is good. Each table has a menu, which is supplemented by a wall board behind the servery. Drinks and cold food are obtained at the servery with hot items delivered to the table.

It was too early for lunch, otherwise we could have tried homemade steak pie with gravy or salmon and dill fish cakes. These cost £6.25 and were served with chips or jacket potatoes and peas or salad. Yorkshire ham or turkey salads were also available.

Toasted sandwiches were £4.95. It is a brave organisation that offers a Red Leicester cheese sandwich (£3.95) with coleslaw and salad in the heart of our county. Hot rolls with a variety of breakfast fillings sounded equally appetising.

I received considerable sympathy from the assistant who handled my request for a weak black coffee for Ann. One shot in a mug topped up with hot water and a separate jug of water for £1.80. What could be better?

My tea pot (£1.30) proved to be an erratic pourer as did the hot water jug. Who manufactures these articles?

Everything was labelled homemade'. As the kitchen backed on to Anne's Bakery I assumed it was one with the café.

We shared a buttered scone (£1.40) and toasted teacake (£1.50), both scoring highly. The menu gave the impression that jam was charged as an extra but this did not appear to be the case (for me at least).

For £6, we were very pleased with our refreshments. What else is available? Coffee costs between £1.30 and £1.95 with hot chocolate starting at £1.60. Fresh cakes, including chocolate éclairs and muffins with cream, were £1.95.

We spotted the afternoon tea menu at £6.75. Maybe expensive, but when you consider it covered a ham sandwich, bread and butter with preserves, buttered scone, homemade cake and pastry plus tea it looked to be excellent value.

There was a warning to be patient at busy times as everything is freshly made. With this quality and value who's bothered? Toilet facilities were excellent.