CUSTOMERS will see the "bright side" of Christmas shopping in Radcliffe this year, with a local brewery lending its support to a festive market coming to the town.

The family-run Brightside Brewing Company, which is based in the Dale Street industrial estate, will be the main sponsor of the ‘Off the High Street’ Christmas Market due to open on December 3.

The festive event, which will take place at Radcliffe Market Hall, has been organised by Jodie Bannister, the brains behind the hugely popular Radcliffe Fine Food Market and Farrars Tea Room.

She has moved the event from its previous location in Manchester city centre and has been keen to bring in as many local businesses as possible to add to the market's range of food, drink, arts and crafts, and unique Christmas gifts.

She said: "We have had a really good response from stallholders to the Christmas market and we are almost full, but we are always looking to get more local businesses involved, especially those in Radcliffe.

"We are now expecting to have between 20 and 25 stalls coming into the town centre and we are really looking forward to it.

"This is just the latest part of our plans to help with the regeneration going on in Radcliffe. Since we first opened Farrars and the fine food market, people have responded really well to us and I think that's because we have real quality products and something that wasn't available in Radcliffe before.

"What I've seen is that it seems to be creating a real buzz in the area and especially around the Market Hall."

As well as serving Brightside beer at the bar, the market will also sell a range of Christmas cocktails, mulled wine, and soft drinks to get everyone in the festive spirit.

She added: "One of the main aims of the Christmas Market, aside from providing something a bit different to the standard Christmas fare, is to help promote, enhance and regenerate Radcliffe. As such I’m delighted that Brightside has agreed to get on board.

"Brightside's ethos of 'sustainable perfection' ties in perfectly with our commitment towards providing local, artisan produce and I can’t wait to welcome them and everyone else to Radcliffe Market Hall this Christmas."

The market will be held on Thursday and Fridays from 6pm to 10pm, Saturdays from 10am to 7pm, and runs until December 19.