IT'S continental market time again for the shoppers of Bolton.

Following the success of last year's European markets, Victoria Square has yet again been transformed with stalls featuring food and crafts.

This is the first time that the Brunomart's French and Continental Market has visited the town and will be the first of five similar markets to ply their goods this year.

The previous events have been highly successful, with shoppers looking for speciality food and crafts from abroad.

More than 30 stalls have been set up, many of which will be selling culinary delights from across the channel, with the rest selling traditional handicrafts.

Last year's continental markets had shoppers swarming around the many stalls.

Brunomarket will be in Bolton until Saturday when it moves on to other towns in the North-west.

Between May 12 and May 15, Victoria Square will host the Team Fantastique market - again selling foods and crafts traditionally associated with the continent.

In addition Bolton will host a Fair Trade market, offering a mix of entertainment, food and craft goods from developing countries, whose traders are fairly paid for their produce. The event, from June 10 to 12, will see around 50 stallholders from across the globe are taking part.

A fourth market will be held as part of Bolton Festival to be held between August 25-28, showcasing traders from across Europe, including goods from Italy, Germany and Spain.

Then Team Fantastique will round off the year with a second visit to the town for a "Christmas on the Square" event from December 1-4, where the stalls will be set up alongside a Father Christmas grotto for younger visitors.

Cathy Savage, Bolton town centre manager said: "Brunomarket are new to us but they have been around for five years and have a very good reputation."