With Christmas celebrations back on the agenda this year, the district council has announced the very welcome return of Leek's festive Twilight Market this December.

The Covid pandemic meant the usual festivities and events associated with the season couldn't take place last year so many people will be especially looking forward to seeing them return this year.

And high on the list will be the Christmas Twilight market which is taking place on Friday 3 December in the town's indoor Market Hall and Buttermarket between 5pm and 8pm.

Following the winning formula of the events in 2018 and 2019 the market, organised by the markets team at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, will feature craft and Christmas gift stalls, street food and licenced bars, live music - and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.

Council Leader, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, who is also responsible for markets, said: "Christmas this year is already being hotly anticipated by many of us who are really looking forward to being able to enjoy the season with family and friends after Covid largely stopped that from happening last year.

"The events, lights and celebrations associated with the festivities, not to mention the food and drink, will be a real boost to everyone during the darker months. That's especially true for our local high streets, businesses and markets who weren't able to put on the usual activities in the build-up to last Christmas.

"So I'm absolutely delighted that the Twilight Market in Leek will be making a very welcome return this December. The markets in 2018 and 2019 were very popular so I have no doubt that the enforced break last year will only have increased the appetite and we're very much looking forward to seeing people make a safe return this year."

The Council is now asking traders who want to be part of this much-anticipated event to email [email protected] to express their interest.