A popular south Essex garden centre is opening the doors to its famous German Christmas market tomorrow as the festive holiday nears.

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 tenth year it promises to be just as popular.

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.

The popular Woodham Road garden centre officially unveils the successful Christmas market tomorrow (September 28).

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: All the nutcrackers to choose from!All the nutcrackers to choose from! (Image: Meadow Croft Garden Centre)Throwback - Last year's decorations on sale

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.

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.