FESTIVE cheer will take-over New Ferry this weekend as residents and businesses host the town's first Christmas market.

Taking place on Saturday, December 8 from 10am to 4pm, the New Ferry Christmas market will boast more than 30 stalls selling a range of crafts and festive gifts.

Organised by the New Ferry's Residents Association, Traders Association, Community Land Trust and Town Team, the market hopes to kick off a 'new start' for the town which was left devastated by an explosion in March 2017.

Around 33 people were injured during the blast.

Mark Anthony Craig, chairman of New Ferry Residents Association told the Globe: "The business community has asked for a street market for years, so now we have responded and are hopeful that this mega event with a combined total of more than 40 stalls will invite visitors from all across Wirral to come and see that we are still here.

"Trade for the retailers this year has continued to deteriorate and we ask that everyone supports their local shops and keeps this community together.

"If the street market is a success, we hope to organise more in 2019."

The event will welcome the Grove Street School Choir and Wirral Sign Choir who will sing traditional carols while the Bebington Sovereign Majorettes will perform at midday.

On Saturday the Wirral Farmers' Market at New Ferry Village Hall will also be taking place from 9am to 1pm offering visitors the chance to buy home-made chocolates, preserves, pates and liqueurs.

A total of 25 stalls will sell traditional farm food such as vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads and honey.

That's not all as Father Christmas will be making a special stop to the town inside the Phabulous Community Hub grotto.

Bromborough ward councillor Jo Bird said: "This community has been through so much since the explosion, and has been doing its best to stay positive in the face of government indifference.

"Disasters like the New Ferry explosion could happen anywhere. There is little safety net left for some communities.

"The government’s ongoing response is cold, cruel and heartless - but this community refuses to give up.

"I urge everyone to show their solidarity with New Ferry and come along and support this event and the town's trading community."

Just last month, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire refused to help New Ferry which left local politicians branding him 'heartless and callous.'

Mr Brokenshire's department sent the following reply to the Globe: “We take the New Ferry explosion extremely seriously.

"That’s why the Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, met Alison McGovern MP, local leaders and community members in September to discuss supporting residents and businesses in the regeneration of the area.

"We’re also encouraging Wirral Council to apply for a range of funding streams including the £5m Town Centres Fund– made possible thanks to the Government’s Liverpool City Region Devolution Deal - and the £675 million Future High Streets Fund.

“We have asked Homes England to work with Wirral Council on their regeneration plans for New Ferry and they have already made £100,000 available to support this.

"We will be receiving regular reports on the progress of this work.”