RESIDENTS are facing an anxious wait to see if last weekend’s popular French Market will return to Chorlton.

The inaugural markets have been hailed a success with hundreds of people flocking to Manchester Road site over two days to sample French delights such as crepes, cheeses, spicy sausages, fruit and fudge.

And many are now hoping that the French Markets will come back bigger and better.

Chorlton resident and councillor Val Stevens went along to the event.

Coun Stevens, who is deputy leader of the council added that she would be discussing the possibility of the return of the French Markets to Chorlton in September or even earlier, with town hall officials. She wants the markets to return with more stalls and possibly even an alcohol licence.

Coun Stevens said: "Ideally, I would like the markets to come back on a regular basis through the summer and it would be great to have more stalls so we can have more fantastic produce on offer.

"I think too we could look at the licensing issues so perhaps the stall-holders can sell drinks like Brittany cider."

She added: "It was great - the food looked fantastic and there was a very lively feel to the place.

"I was going to buy a crepe but there were so many people queueing that I didn’t have time to wait. But I consoled myself with some fantastic garlic brie and fresh cherries. And the Bailey’s fudge went down a treat!

"I saw a couple eating the most gorgeous-looking peaches and the peppered sausages looked amazing too."

Victor Hyman, manager of Barbakan delicatessen on Manchester Road, also went to see what was on offer at the food stalls in front of the Library.

He said: "There was a real buzzing atmosphere. It wasn’t just that the food seemed to be great quality, but the stalls themselves looked really nice and I think that added to the whole atmosphere of the place.

"It would be great if they came back even bigger and better because a lot of people in Chorlton loved that continental feel the markets brought."

And Jon Woodruffe, co-owner of Proof bar on Manchester Road, also praised the idea of bringing back the markets.

He said: "The Saturday markets were really good - but it was too quiet on the Friday because of people being at work.

"Perhaps it could be on a Saturday and Sunday instead next time."

Geoff Drinkel, from Team Fantastique - a Northamptonshire based company which put on the stalls - said he felt the markets were welcomed in Chorlton.

He said: "It went very well. Chorlton seems like a very francophile place. I think the people enjoyed having us there and appreciated our food.We would love to come back and are talking to the council about it."