Sizzling sausages, piping hot mulled wine and hot chocolates with mighty whipped cream peaks can only mean one thing - the Manchester Christmas Markets are back.
This year marks a special year for the UK's capital of Christmas as it was exactly 25 Christmases ago that Manchester's first-ever Christmas market took place in 1998.
A quarter of a century later the markets continue to attract Mancunians and visitors alike to the city in their thousands to fill up on the fantastic festive treats on offer.
Blessed by the weather gods, the sun poured down on Piccadilly Gardens - or "Winter Gardens" as they're known at this time of year - this morning as the 'world-beating' markets officially kicked off.
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