A FESTIVE market will be held to celebrate the start of the countdown to Christmas in Bishop Auckland.

The event organised by the South Durham Enterprise Agency, coincides with the Christmas lights switch-on in the Market Place on Friday, November 21.

The market, which will have 14 stalls selling North-East produce, will take place between 3pm and 7pm that day and also between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, November 22.

Auckland Castle will also be hosting a Christmas market, featuring everything from confectionary to handcrafted jewellery, on the Friday and Saturday, and also between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

Councillor Lee Brownson, deputy mayor of Bishop Auckland, said: “People are crying out for the market to come back.

County councillor for Bishop Auckland, Joy Allen, has funded new stalls for the Market Place and said if it proves successful, she has further funding available for future events.