THE much-loved Christmas markets return a week on Wednesday.

More stalls than ever will open on November 18 - turning the city centre into a winter wonderland.

The markets, now in their second decade, are expected to attract hundreds of thousands of shoppers to make the most of the European fare on offer until December 21.

Stallholders from across the continent will bring the usual Gluhwein, meats, cheeses and baked goods. There will also be a new crafts area outside The Triangle shopping centre each Thursday to Sunday.

Traders will be in St Ann's Square, Albert Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square and Piccadilly Gardens.

The German beer tent returns to Albert Square with a line up of stalls offering bratwurst, hog roast, fresh crepes, biscuits and cakes.

Customers will also be treated to free entertainment from carol singers and Spanish flamenco guitar.

The Alpine chalets of Brazennose Street will host a new Christmas village and dining area while the city's original German market will return to St Ann's Square.

A Real Food market will be in Piccadilly Gardens on December 11 and 12 and a Food Market, featuring produce from across the north west, from December 17 to 19.

City centre chief Coun Pat Karney said "Every year Manchester looks forward to these fantastic markets which undoubtedly rival the best in Europe. We're expecting people to travel from all over Britain and beyond to enjoy what's on offer in what has become the country's number one Christmas city."

Council bosses were last year forced to extend the markets' run to take in an extra weekend due to demand.

The stalls have attracted millions of pounds of business to the city for the past 10 years.