RAMSBOTTOM'S popular Christmas Street Market has been cancelled.

The two day event had been scheduled to take place on December 14 and 15 with attractions including and indoor food and craft market, carol singers, a nativity and a photo booth.

But with just weeks to go organisers say they have been forced pull the plug on the markets in order to concentrate on preparations for another of the town's big events ­— the annual Chocolate Festival.

A festive farmers market will be going ahead, however, on December 8.

Gregg Fletcher, one of the event's organisers, said: "We haven’t taken this decision lightly, however the plans for the 2020 Chocolate Festival are going to be more involved than ever before as the event is planned to be expanded.

"With that in mind we have taken the decision to have one event in Ramsbottom this Christmas and focus our time on next year’s event.

"We have the festive farmers market on the 8th December with fresh food and handmade crafts and will be back in 2020 with big plans in the pipeline."

In previous years thousands of visitors have filled the town's streets and civic hall to visit the Christmas Markets.

The event also attracts dozens of traders and entertainers and brings custom to Ramsbottom's pubs, restaurants and retailers.

Organisers of the Christmas Markets had been appealing for traders for this year's event as recently as 10 days ago.