Bolton Market has extended its opening times this week and will be open right up until Christmas Eve for shoppers looking to prepare a last-minute festive feast. Melanie Wallwork went along to meet traders and find out more.

THE countdown to Christmas is well and truly on and Bolton Market has all the fresh, festive grub you need for your dinner table.

Stallholders predict by the time families are settling down on Christmas Day, they will have sold 2,470 turkeys and five tonnes of sprouts.

The market is home to five stalls selling turkeys, seven greengrocers, three cheese stalls selling more than 200 varieties, two Christmas card shops, one cake decorating shop plus last-minute gifts galore.

Danny Bates, from Bates Brothers which has been on the market for 30 years, is doing a roaring trade in the traditional fare which is either loved or loathed — sprouts.

Danny said: "Sprouts are my favourite veg.

"We will usually sell five bags a week but at Christmas, we will sell 105 bags a week.

"It's the same with parsnips. At Christmas, we will sell 1,000 boxes."

Throughout the rest of the year, Tony Frame, from The Salmon Kings, enjoys solid trade with his fishy offerings but has turkeys of all sizes come Christmas.

He said: "The biggest size is 30lb in weight, for £50.

"That would do 40 or 50 people.

"If we have got any left, we will donate them to a home.

"No-one wants a £50 turkey come 5pm on Christmas Eve."

In the past seven or eight years, he has seen a 10 fold increase in people buying goose to cook for Christmas meals, many inspired by television chefs.

Back in medieval times and the main course on Christmas Day was either a peacock or a boar.

The turkey is said to have appeared on Christmas tables in England in the 16th century and popular history tells of King Henry VIII being first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas.

Mr Frame says another popular item is carp — a species of oily freshwater fish — bought by people from Eastern European countries for their celebrations which are held on Christmas Eve.

Christmas would not be complete without a cheeseboard and Purdon's Cheese stall has more than 200 flavours including Wensleydale with mince pie, white Stilton with fruits and brandy, cheddar with walnuts and white Stilton, strawberry and Champagne.

Pam Purdon, whose favourite cheese is creamy Lancashire, said: "For Christmas, blue Stilton is always popular for a cheeseboard, a cranberry — something with fruit in — and a nice mature cheddar."

The market is open today, tomorrow and Christmas Eve so there is still time to stock up ready for the big day.

Cllr Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, cabinet member for community services, said: “Bolton Market is the go-to place for everything you might need to enjoy a fabulous Christmas.

"The choice and quality of fresh foods on offer is second to none and shoppers can buy everything they need from the obligatory sprouts to a family sized turkey or even a duck or a goose.

“What’s great about the market is that everything is all under one roof and great value for money — there are plenty of bargains to be had.

"The variety of traders with the addition of the Lifestyle Hall means that while people are doing their festive food shop, they can also pick up those last minute Christmas gifts and stocking fillers.

“To help shoppers we’ve also extended our opening times — the market will be open today and Christmas Eve.”