THE nights are slowly starting to draw in and you're already thinking about burying your summer wardrobe at the bottom of your drawer...

While Christmas Day is still more more than four months away, plenty of people have already got one eye on the countdown to some festive fun.

And one of the highlights on the Christmas calendar for many residents is a trip to Manchester for a day of gluhwein and sausages at the Christmas Market.

It was announced this week the Manchester Christmas Market will return on Friday November 8, with traders operating seven days a week until Saturday, December 21.

Stalls will be set up in Albert Square despite previous concerns town hall renovations would mean they would have to move elsewhere.

But for the first time in 12 years, the giant light-up Santa known as Zippy won't be overseeing proceedings.

The huge festive figure has been put up for sale by the council after it was decided it was too cumbersome to maintain, too heavy and took too long to build.

Councillors will have the final say on the design of a new figure which will be placed elsewhere in the city.

Exact locations have yet to be confirmed for the rest of the city's street stalls but they have previously filled Cathedral Gardens, Market Street and King Street.

And if you fancy being a trader this year, there's still time to apply. 

Click here for more details.