THERE is no doubt Paul and Judith Taylor know their onions - and their potatoes, purple sprouting, apples and other fruit and veg too.

THERE is no doubt Paul and Judith Taylor know their onions - and their potatoes, purple sprouting, apples and other fruit and veg too.

At a time when others are shying away from taking on a business, they have taken over Wayside Nurseries in Market Hall, Market Place, Sidmouth, after running it for the Winchester family for nearly three years.

With Paul's mum and dad, Wendy and Ray, having run the fish stall alongside for 29 years, it is now a real family affair inside this traditional market building.

Ian Winchester's father Jack ran the greengrocers for a while back in the 1940s. There was also a butchers in the hall as well as a fish stall.

Former Sidmouth College student Paul, 38, sources many vegetables from 20 small, local producers within a 15-mile radius, while Nigel Winchester helps on the fruit side, buying it from Bristol market.

"I get spinach from Branscombe, strawberries, cut flowers and apple juice, all on a small scale, and people like coming in to get parsnips with dirt on them," said Paul, who was chief photographer at the Sidmouth Herald for 10 years.

Before Paul and Judith; who have two teenaged children, ran the stall, it was run for the Winchesters for 45 years by Carol Singleton, who now works on the tills at Winchesters in High Street.

"I have known Carol all my life," said Paul. "When she stopped working here Nigel and Ian approached us to run it for them. Then the opportunity came up to take over the lease and we decided to go for it."

They have many regular customers and Paul often helps deliver it if they are unable to carry it home.

"People like to come in and say hello, they are trying to get away from supermarkets because they spend a lot of money," he said. "I enjoy being back in the town and have had lots of support from the local community.