SALISBURY Business Improvement District (BID) has taken on the management of Salisbury’s successful Christmas Market, which opens next Thursday.

Steve Godwin from BID said: “This year’s event opening is to be the biggest and the best, with locals and visitors in for a real festive treat.

“We are proud to be associated with such an exciting event aimed at bringing thousands of extra people to encourage and stimulate trade in our city.”

There will be a torchlight procession on the opening night, and more than 100 chalets offering festive goods.

The market, now in its third year, has been hailed as one of the best seven Christmas markets in the country. Thousands of people are planning to visit the market by coach from as far afield as Birmingham and more local visitors from Southampton, Warminster Basingstoke, Andover, Winchester and Bournemouth.