HOPES are high that a Christmas market will return for Farnworth and Kearsley next year after a promising debut created plenty of festive cheer.

Promoters BL4 Live were behind the two-day event and have declared it a huge success.

Gary Daniels, BL4 Live spokesman said he wants to thank the community because without them, events like this wouldn’t happen.

He said: “Now that the first ever Farnworth and Kearsley Christmas Market has been cleared away, we’d like to take a moment to thank Bolton at Home and Bridge School of Excellence for their sponsorships and we’d like to extend our thanks to the numerous Bolton Council departments for supporting and helping to facilitate this event.

“A huge thank-you to all of our volunteers that worked tirelessly for 16 to 18 hours a day for five continuous days to make this all happen.

“Finally, the biggest thank you to the people of Farnworth and Kearsley for all of your support and encouragement - we couldn’t do this type of event without you.

“We now review, learn and plan - ready to make Farnworth and Kearsley Christmas Market 2022 even bigger and better."

The markets were originally planned to go ahead for three days but due to severe weather organisers decided to put the health and safety of the public first and keep the markets closed for the third day.

Though the weather wasn’t always on their side, the markets brought festive joy and happiness to many families.

Cllr Paul Sanders added: "Thank you to Gary Daniels and BL4 Live for having the vision to deliver a Christmas market experience for Farnworth and Kearsley, and for pulling it together in just five weeks.

“These type of events don’t just happen, they require a huge amount of private investment/financial risk-taking and enormous organising behind the scenes to deliver.

“Thank you to everyone who invested their time to visit the Christmas Market - your interest is what makes events like this possible in our two towns.”