Christmas market opens

Festive stalls were lining the streets of Wolverhampton today in a welcome boost for traders in the wake of the economic slump.

Dozens of stalls were this morning being set up along Dudley Street and Queen Square for the annual Christmas market.

Shoppers from around the region are expected to come along to the four-day market, which it is hoped will help tempt people into high street shops.

A host of bargains, including locally produced honey and jams, cheeses, home-produced ciders, holly wreaths, mistletoe, hand-tied decorations, wooden toys, paintings and pottery, is going up for grabs at the market, which will be running until Friday.

Street entertainers including stilt walkers, balloon modelling and face painters will also be making their way to the city centre street during the duration of the market.