WRAP up warm and enjoy the hustle and bustle with two Christmas market experiences opening in Warrington.

Golden Square’s Christmas Village in the Old Fish Market is doubling in size this year and will launch this Thursday.

Warrington Market's Christmas market will then return on November 28 with more than 100 stalls, a life-sized polar bear and an intergalactic twist.

Golden Square's Christmas Village will feature festive sweets, traditional crafts, snacks from a swing grill, mulled wine and German beers.

New this year is a Warrington Wolves merchandise stand with players expected to pop down and help sell season tickets and their new kit from the start of December.

The Lymm Candle Company will also be unveiling a new range of scented candles.

Event manager Marnie Hart said: "Last year’s event had around 10 stalls but this time we’re going to have double that number, and far more attractions.

"The aim is to create the warm, friendly atmosphere of a continental Christmas fair, so we’ll have a bar selling traditional mulled wine and German beers.

"We’ll have a swing grill serving German sausages and a carvery offering a range of meats including hot beef, pork and turkey along with a speciality Santa sandwich, filled with the sort of things you’d get in a Christmas dinner, like turkey and bacon.

"Also in the food line we’ll have gourmet burgers, roasted chestnuts, chocolate delight and Christmas goulash.

"Other stalls will be selling some really fabulous Christmas decorations, including hand-made glass baubles for your tree, and presents such as organic soaps and bath bombs."

Meanwhile, Warrington Market's Christmas experience will be out of this world with a host of characters from Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who making an appearance.

As well as traditional festive stalls selling gourmet foods, mulled wine and handmade gifts there will also be a street dedicated to stalls selling sci-fi merchandise and memorabilia.

You can meet Bjorn, the life-sized animatronic polar bear, and there will even be a Lego festival with enthusiasts displaying giant models of the Titanic, Tower Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

Cllr Mike Hannon, deputy leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: "The traditional Christmas markets always prove to be a great success and offer a fantastic array of food, drink and gifts.

"I am pleased, however, that this year we will see a unique spin on the tradition which will hopefully attract even more visitors into our cherished market during the festive period.

"It’s so rewarding to see so many traders come together to showcase their individual talents that make Warrington Market one of the best in the country."

- Golden Square's Christmas Village runs until December 23.

- Warrington Market's Sci-fi Christmas is on November 28