KENDAL's Market Place is to be transformed into a German-style market this week in a nod to its twin town Rinteln.

The market will go up for the first time today (Thursday December 11) with 16 stall-holders.

It will remain in place for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and many town centre traders are staying open late, said South Lakeland District Council. It is part of plans to create a 'spectacular Festive Fortnight' to help boost trade.

The programme is being delivered with Kendal Business Improvement District (BID) and financial support from Kendal Town Council.

Kendal BID has funded a free park-and-ride service from K Village into the town centre during December and free parking on all SLDC operated pay-and-display car parks in Kendal on Sundays in December in the countdown to Christmas.

The four-day festive market will also see other events in the town centre, including street entertainers, brass bands, a special guest appearance from a Disney approved Elsa from ‘Frozen’ nd children from local schools will be putting on performances in Market Place.

On Saturday and Sunday, artificial snow will be used to really get shoppers in the Yuletide spirit.

Further attractions during festive fortnight include a 22-stall Made in Cumbria Christmas market on December 15 and 16, the usual street market on December 17, an additional seasonal market on December 18 and a 28-stall farmers’ market on December 19.

The following weekend, December 20 and 21, there will be a festive feel to the regular Saturday street market and on Sunday an ice rink will be installed in Market Place, and will remain on December 22 and 23 .

Full programme:

• Dec 11-14: German-style Christmas markets

• Dec 15-16: Made in Cumbria festive market

• Dec 17: Traditional Kendal market

• Dec 18: Festive Thursday (additional seasonal market)

• Dec 19: Made in Cumbria Farmers’ Market

• Dec 20: Traditional Kendal market

• Dec 21-23: Skating rink

• Dec 24: Traditional Kendal market