Shop and socialise at Leek's new Twilight Market this Christmas

As Christmas approaches and our busy lives get busier, every opportunity to pick up those seasonal essentials helps - and the chance to combine shopping with having fun with friends and family is an opportunity not to be missed!

Leek's Christmas Twilight Market - an innovative new event which is set to be the blueprint for future evening markets - is offering people the chance to do just that this December.

Taking place on Friday 7 December between 6pm and 9pm in the Butter and Trestle markets, the market will showcase the traditional seasonal gifts and goodies alongside the chance to enjoy live music from Leek band The Deadbeat Damsels, street food, a licenced bar and Christmas craft activities courtesy of Cabbage Rose.

And even Santa himself will be taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the free event.

The market has been co-ordinated by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. Councillor Edwin Wain, Cabinet Member for Planning, Development and Property, said: "Our markets are going from strength to strength which is great news for shoppers and traders and our local economy.

"We are all keen to develop the potential markets have to continue to contribute to vibrant and thriving town centres so we're excited by our latest initiative - the Christmas Twilight Market.

"It promises to be a lively, social event blending shopping and socialising and we're all very much looking forward to it. Events such as this are the future for our markets so I hope everyone comes along and supports their local traders whilst having a great evening.

"The idea is that we hold more events like this during the summer months next year so please join us and let's make this market the first of many more to come."

It follows a strong performance for the town's markets which has seen the number of stalls on the Wednesday indoor market increase by over 200. The outdoor market has seen a similar increase and the number to traders taking stalls in the Friday Trestle market has grown by over 40. The Fine Food market is also continuing to attract an increasing number of traders with over 100 regular attenders.