BOLTON town centre will be awash with the tantalising tastes and smells of fine food from around the world next month.

The popular Global Market will return to Victoria Square, from Thursday, October 23 to Sunday, October 26, bringing a blast of cosmopolitan colour and style.

Bolton was first chosen by Manchester-based Market Place Europe to host the event in 2011 after the success of the town’s food and drink festival.

Traders from around the world will be selling an array of products typical of their country or region, from exotic meats to Italian biscotti, cakes and soft nougat to traditional bratwurst sausage, all washed down with German beer.

Cllr Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, cabinet member for community services, said: “The food and drink festival was a massive success attracting around 150,000 visitors. The global market will once again bring a great selection of traders to the town centre, selling a range of delicious foods, gifts and crafts.

“The global market is always popular with residents and visitors and it brings a real international flavour to the town.

“I’d encourage everyone to come along and also make use of the free weekend parking in the multi-storey car parks.

“And if you’re in town for the global market, don’t forget our award winning Bolton Market is only a short walk away.”

Transforming Victoria Square into a colourful melting pot of cultures and cuisines over four days will be favourites including Dimitrios the Greek, selling traditional Greek Street Foods; Jimmy Beans, with a selection of flavoured coffee beans and loose leaf teas and a new French master baker, who will be baking fresh bread and tarts regularly throughout each day.

The speciality market will also play host to stalls selling a range of craft and gifts, including Fairtrade African arts, wooden carvings from Kenya and Bali and a huge selection of plants, shrubs, trees and bulbs.

The Global Market’s opening hours will be Thursday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm