French farmers have been sampling the delights of Welsh beef at a market in north Wales - six years after fears over BSE prompted a ban on UK imports.

France was Britain's biggest export market until the ban was enforced in 1996.

The stalls proved popular with residents

Despite the lifting of the ban some French farmers have questioned the quality of meat from Wales.

However, during a special market of French producers in Wrexham on Friday, members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) seized the opportunity to show off their wares.

Clwyd branch chairman Keith Thompson said they were promoting their meat following a "snub" by Westminster Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett.

She failed to eat Welsh beef at a food fair in Paris last week despite posing for photographers with a tray of the meat.

Beef ban

"We will right the wrongs of Mrs Beckett when she didn't actively support good Welsh beef in France last week, " Mr Thompson said.

"We've got Welsh beef here, we've got Welsh wine and Welsh bread and we're going to treat our French friends to a good piece of Welsh hospitality."

Local beef exporters were given a lift in September when the French food standards agency recommended dropping the ban on UK imports.

However, not all French producers have accepted the reintroduction of the meat.

Carole Alldus has travelled from Calais

One French stallholder in Wrexham described the meat on offer as "too tough".

Goods on sale at the market included fresh fruit and vegetables, traditional cooked meats, leather handbags and jewellery.

Carole Alldus had travelled from Calais to sell her cheese she said stallholders travel to different areas of the UK every weekend.

Some stallholders accepted euros

"We have quite a lot of problems with our farming industry as well, but I think now we can sort everything and soon British people can go back to France and sell their stuff," she said.

"That'll be the end of the problem I think.

"It's quite good to sell our goods here because the people are really nice with us and we are always welcome," she said.

The market has been well received by local people.

Success

Brenda Boylin from Borras Park near Wrexham said she had bought numerous items: "This is a really great idea, I think it's absolutely wonderful.

"It is very important that we look after the farmers, I buy all my meat and vegetables from a farmer."

The project was organised by Wrexham council following the success of their county farmers market.

Town centre manager Isobel Watson said the stallholders have had a good reception.

"It's a benefit to everybody because the French enjoy coming and there can be a reciprocal arrangement if we want any of our traders to go back to France," she said.

"They come and stay in the local hotels so that helps the local economy."

North Wales farmers are now planning a return trip to Amiens to sell their produce in France.