A four day festive market will be in Newport Street this December.

The event will see established traders as well as young entrepreneurs selling their goods to shoppers in time for Christmas.

The market is just part of a bumper package put together by Bolton Council to attract shoppers to the town centre over the festive period.

Other highlights include a 200 square metre ice rink, from November 30, and a giant wheel from Thursday, December 12, in Victoria Square.

From December 12, to coincide with the giant wheel arriving in town, the festive market featuring 20 traders from across the North West will be set up in Newport Street for four days. Trading hours are between 10am to 5pm Thursday to Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

There will be plenty to tempt shoppers looking for Christmas gifts; from homemade chocolate and jams, handmade jewellery and cards, to stalls selling personalised glass baubles and candles.

Pupils from St James CE High School, in Farnworth, have made Christmas decorations to sell on December 12 and 13, and young people on an enterprise project run by Bolton Lads and Girls Club will be selling jams and fudge on December 14.

As well as the market, three traders who regularly sell produce at Bolton Food and Drink Festival will set up shop next to the ice rink every weekend, from November 30. Shoppers can enjoy warm mince pies and mulled wine from Caterin Capsules, barista-style coffee, hot drinks, handmade cakes and toasted sandwiches and more from Spilt Milk, and hog roast and meats from Bowland Beef.

Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: "The market will be the ideal place to get last minute Christmas gifts and treats. There is a good selection of stalls selling unique gifts where you could pick up some fantastic presents. Together with everything else we have planned we've got a winter wonderland experience not to be missed."

Other highlights of the town centre festive programme, which is sponsored by Bolton Wanderers Football Club, include a free Santa's grotto, the chance to meet real reindeer, and street entertainment.

Free parking is in operation weekdays after 3pm at Deane Road, Topp Way and the Octagon multi-storey car parks until Friday, January 10, 2014.

Free parking is also available all day Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays until May 2014.