A popular south Essex garden centre has opened the doors to its famous German Christmas market as summer comes to an end.

Meadow Croft Garden Centre's Christmas market has been a huge success since it was first hosted in 2015, and as the event goes into its ninth year it promises to be "bigger and better than ever before".

Echo: Some of the handcrafted items Some of the handcrafted items (Image: Meadow Croft Garden Centre)

The German Market was born from the Battlesbridge centre's idea to do something ‘different’ at Christmas, inspired by the traditional Christmas markets in Germany with more than 30 stalls offering seasonal treats and unique yuletide gifts and decorations.

Echo: One of the festive stallsOne of the festive stalls (Image: Meadow Croft Garden Centre)

The popular Woodham Road garden centre has officially unveiled the successful Christmas market today (September 14).

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The stalls are handcrafted by owner Roland Smith, each adorned with handpicked, high-quality artisan products including carved wooden decorations, delicate glassware and baubles, traditional cuckoo clocks, scandinavian gonks and much more.

Each year, the garden centre bosses go out to Germany to find new crafts and suppliers and many of the products on the stalls are hand-produced by craftsmen they have met personally.

Echo: Another stall sells Christmas tree baubles Another stall sells Christmas tree baubles (Image: Meadow Croft Garden Centre)

Festive visitors can wander among the many festive chalet-style stalls, soak up the festive atmosphere and get in the mood for the holiday season with the smells of Bratwurst, Gingerbread and Glühwein.

Echo: All the nutcrackers to choose from!All the nutcrackers to choose from! (Image: Meadow Croft Garden Centre)

At the heart of the market, visitors can enjoy German foods such as Frankfurter, Sauerkraut, Waffles, Apple Strudel and the incredibly popular Schokokusse - chocolate kisses. They also serve German bottled beers and its homemade spiced apple drink.

The Christmas market is free to attend and is open seven days a week during Meadow Croft's opening hours. No tickets are needed to visit during these times.