THE festive season has officially begun in the city centre with the opening of the tenth Christmas market by comedian John Thomson Thompson - who came straight from rehearsals for the pantomime Peter Pan.

Salford-born John, who will play Captain Hook at the Opera House, said: "The markets are brilliant. I've been coming here for years. I love everything about them - especially the gingerbread and marzipan."

Becky Want from BBC Radio Manchester, who also opened the markets, said: "I'm so excited - the market is the biggest in the region. It's fantastically festive and brings people in from miles around. I stop there for gluhwein and the sausages." - the bigger the better."

This year, there are 200 stalls offering a continental variety of food, arts and crafts, fashion and gifts from across Europe.

Due to popular demand, the market sites have been extended throughout the city centre in New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, Exchange Square, Brazennose Street, St Ann's Square and Albert Square.

Susan Limbert, 40, who serves burgers on the Porky's of Yarm stall in Albert Square, is drawing in customers with her opera singing.

Susan, from Yorkshire, said: "I'm a vegetarian opera singer who serves burgers. This is my third time at the market and I love meeting all the people and coming back each year is like seeing old friends."

Dirk van de Wardt, 48, from Holland, has travelled to Manchester to sell Christmas trees since the markets opened a decade ago.

He said: "I like to be here every year. People are so friendly and they leave me with a special Christmas feeling. Manchester is the capital city of my heart."

Corinne Bustamonte, 45, from Dakar, from the Twixie Pixie stall selling hand-made glove puppets, said: "I think the markets are beautiful and the people are very warm and gentle."

The markets are not only loved by the stallholders, but by thousands of visitors.

Last year, an average of 43,000 people a day visited the main Albert Square market over the five-week run.

Amy Phillipson, 21, a speech and language therapy student at Manchester University, said: "I've been coming here for four years. I love the food - all the sausages, meats and cheeses. It makes me feel Christmassy."

Lord Mayor of Manchester, Coun Mavis Smitheman, said: "I think the market is fabulous. It gets bigger and better every year. Thousands of people enjoy the market and all the traders love coming to Manchester."

The markets will be open until December 22.
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