Late food shopping ... at Covent Garden

London is to get its own night market with Covent Garden opening until 10pm every Thursday next month.

More than 35 stalls, including guest traders from other markets in London and the rest of the country, will offer the best of British food.

Those who have already secured a pitch include Hackney mushroom specialist Sporeboys, Borough Market butcher The Ginger Pig and Covent Garden's own Neal's Yard Dairy.

Claire Ptak, 32, who runs cake stall Violet at Broadway Market in Hackney, said: "It will be selling the highest-quality produce, hand picked from markets across London. People will able to buy the best cheeses and organic vegetables and fruits."

In keeping with Covent Garden tradition, shoppers will be entertained with live performances by musicians and dance troupes.

Bev Churchill, Covent Garden's brand director, said: "The market was the original home of quality produce. To bring a food market of this calibre back to Covent Garden feels natural."