TRADERS who have travelled from across Europe to brighten Manchester's Christmas have been issued parking tickets.

It is the second year that stallholders at the European markets have been greeted by traffic wardens as they unloaded in Albert Square.

One trader was told she would also have to pay FIVE fines outstanding from last year - despite the fact that a year ago wardens were ordered to retrieve every ticket they had issued after the M.E.N. photographed them in action.

Last year the M.E.N. counted at least 11 tickets being handed out in St Ann's Square by parking firm Control Plus, which was given its marching orders later the same month.

But yesterday, as trucks and vans began arriving in Albert Square to unload ready for the market opening tomorrow, officers employed by parking giant NCP did exactly the same thing.

Christina Gotze, who has come from Germany to run a chocolate stall in Albert Square, said: "One of our vans was given a ticket, but we have been told that in addition we will have to pay five fines imposed last year, although we were assured they had been scrapped."

Jan Kleinert, who has travelled from Hamburg to run a steel-design stall on the market, said: "We have got two parking tickets, but we can't understand why.

"We have been invited to come here to Manchester to help make Christmas something special, and we are greeted like this. We are only here for an hour or two to unload our wares and set up our stalls, but there is nowhere else to park."

Another stallholder said: "A lot of us are pretty angry. The city council are eager enough to have us here, and yet we just get slapped in the face when we arrive."

The city council's website enthuses: "People travel from far and wide to visit Manchester's Christmas markets, to stock up on authentic continental goods or to enjoy the festive camaraderie at the friendly beer tent and gluhwein stalls where local workers and visitors gather daily."

Coun Paul Murphy, the city's executive member for direct services, said: "Manchester was the first to bring traditional European markets to Britain and ours are still the best and most authentic in the UK. Once again Manchester is a world leader at Christmas."

Assistant city centre manager Roger Barberis said: "We will look into it immediately. On the face of it, it would appear to be a mistake. If we are going to run Christmas markets then clearly traders have to have somewhere to park while they unload. On the other hand, it doesn't necessarily give anyone carte blanche to park anywhere, and it may be that they will have been given specific advice about unloading arrangements."

A city council spokeswoman said: "Full and reasonable arrangements for access are made for the stallholders. Organisers have worked closely with both traders and parking attendants to avoid situations where parked vehicles are likely to cause an obstruction.

"Most visiting traders have stuck to the agreed arrangements, but where traders persist in ignoring these rules they are liable to be ticketed.

"Only two tickets have been issued to traders. One was at the request of Manchester Markets, and the other because a trader refused to move a vehicle despite being requested to do so. There is a dedicated attendant in each of the squares to resolve parking issues."

NCP was unavailable for comment.

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