Visitors, traders and organisers have deemed Watford's first Christmas market of the year a huge success.

In total 48 guest market stalls joined regular traders in Watford market on Saturday to offer festive goodies at the first of four Christmas markets in the lead up to the holiday.

Councillor Helen Lynch, who sits on the Working Market Group at the council, said: “It was just lovely to see so many people back in the market and to see it buzzing with life once again.

“It is quite an unusual and quirky market with lots of nice stalls.”

Many regular traders in the market also benefitted from the additional Christmas attraction and some of them noticed increased sales of up to 20%.

Sam Sweiry, who runs a spice stall in the market, said: “It is good to notice new faces, some of whom were Watford Borough Councillors who visited the market for the first time in a long time.

“The best of them all was the central cafeteria which was buzzing with life and for the first time ever I noticed people queuing for tables.”

A live carol singer was also performing during the market’s opening hours to make sure people were fully in the Christmas spirit.

Three more festival markets will take place in the lead up to Christmas on November 19 and December 3 and 17.

For more information about the markets visit www.watfordmarket.org.uk or call 01923 246066.