Wine and song for festive market

Mulled wine and mince pies, Christmas trees and cup cakes were all on sale and singers from across the Black Country took to the stage to entertain the crowds yesterday.

The event, held in the square off Freeth Street, was launched to coincide with the switch-on of the town's festive lights.

Among the traders were Philip Jackson and Karen Hadley, who run a catering business in Smethwick.

They were selling glasses of mulled wine, which proved to be the hit of the day. Mr Jackson, aged 42, from Pattingham, Wolverhampton, said: "We could have sold hundreds of glasses.

"It's certainly very festive, everyone's got smiles on the faces which is nice to see. I think occasions like this are really good for an area."

Bruce Screen, who runs the Cypress Nursery in Powke Lane, Blackheath, also had a stall.

The 63-year-old said: "I've got Christmas trees, holly balls, hanging baskets, they seemed to be going down quite well.

"It's very cold, but there's a lot of people who have come out to have a look, I think it's a good event." Friends Marie Kreft, 27, of Hockley, and Colette Smith, 23, of Hingley Street, Cradley Heath, were also enjoying the festivities.

Marie said: "I didn't feel Christmas at all until I came here, but I feel quite excited about it now."

It is the first time a Christmas market has been held in the town and follows on from the success of the spring market. The one-off event was organised by Find It In Sandwell and Sandwell Traders Association and ran until 9pm.

As well as the festive food there were children's rides and face painting, a brass band, the 10-piece Festival of Soul band and a performance by the Dreemz Gospel Choir.