THE historic Gilten Market returns to the Isle of Wight today (Monday).

Bidding is set to get underway at 10am, at Tapnell Farm Park.

The event is a celebration of Island Livestock farming, where livestock keepers show off the best of their cattle and sheep, in competition for prestigious awards.

The Gilten Market is a historic Isle of Wight event, held under the patronage of the High Sheriff, dating back to the 1800s.

Originally held in Newport town market, the event has moved home several times since that market's closure in the early 1980s.

“The Gilten Market is our Christmas fatstock show,” said Gilten Market secretary Sian Grove.

“The Island is the only place in the British Isles that has a Gilten Market.

“It’s always held a few weeks before Christmas and celebrated by the current or a deputy High Sherriff gilding the horns of the winning fat steer - the Gilten Beast - with gold paint.

“By holding the market at this time of year, it encourages Island farmers to produce top quality beef and fat lambs for the butchers to buy for the festive period.

“The market helps reinforce the important links between Island farmers and butchers and encourage the public to buy local.”