ST Neots is among the top places to live in the country for food lovers ... according to a national newspaper’s website.

The town was listed by the Telegraph fourth behind Ludlow in Shropshire, Padstow in Cornwall and Bray in Berkshire.

St Neots was the only Cambridgeshire town to make the grade and managed to finish above the likes of Safron Walden in Essex and Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

The town’s farmers’ market was listed as the key attraction to foodies and was commended for “giving precedence to local produce” and offering “everything from meats and cheeses to chutneys and pickles and fresh flowers”.

Town centre manager Katie Williams said she was delighted to see St Neots on the list and was proud to see the farmers’ market praised.

Mrs Williams said: “The market is a real draw to the town. It’s not just supporting local farmers and traders, a lot of people are thinking about being able to trace back their food, particularly after the horse meat scandal. The prices are very competitive and you know that your meat has been reared five miles down the road.”

Kevin Morgan-Jones was one of the founders of the farmers’ market and sells his beef and lamb at his Morgan Pell Meats stall. The meat is reared a few miles down the road in Wilden, Bedfordshire – so close that Mr Morgan-Jones’s family used to walk their sheep to St Neots to sell them at the old cattle market.

Mr Morgan-Jones said: “I think we’ve got some great producers offering great value for money and great service. There’s a good banter because the traders have known each other for a long time. There are often roars of laughter and there’s a good family atmosphere.”

It’s not just the farmers’ market that is seen as a source of food pride for those living and working in St Neots – there are also a number of restaurants that they recommend.

Mayor of St Neots Councillor Barry Chapman said Turkish restaurant Bosphorus, the Nawaab Indian restaurant and the recently refurbished Bridge House were among his favourite places to eat.

Both the Bosphorus and the Bridge House were also highly recommended by Matt Ellis, whose independent wine merchants Smiling Grape supply many of the town’s restaurants.

Michelle Clayton, has been in charge at the Bridge House in St Neots for six years. She said: “All our food is locally sourced and I think the local produce is great in the area.

“It’s great for St Neots that we’re being recognised and hopefully it will bring people to the town over the competition in Peterborough and Cambridge.”

INFORMATION: To view the Telegraph’s top 20 places to live for foodies go to www.telegraph.co.uk and search for ‘foodie’.