A CHRISTMAS market which had to be scrapped at the 11th hour last year has found a new home.

Organisers of the Haworth Victorian Market were forced to cancel the festive extravaganza when underground sewers in the village's famous Main Street collapsed.

The incident happened only a fortnight before the event, which normally attracts thousands of visitors to the street, was due to take place.

Now a new venue has been found – Haworth Village Hall and Community Hub in Butt Lane – for this year's market, on December 5 and 6.

Organiser Andrew Vaux, director of Cullingworth-based ARVA PR & Events, said he appreciated that relocating the event indoors would potentially remove some of the atmosphere but he said it would also bring benefits.

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"I know Haworth Main Street offered a unique festive atmosphere but there were always other factors which had to be taken into account when organising the event," he said.

"As well as difficulties caused by the essential maintenance work in Main Street, we were constantly faced with a number of other challenges including licensing issues, security and concerns about potential disruption to both local traders and residents.

"By moving the event to the new venue, we eliminate all these concerns as well as the ever-present threat of the British weather being unkind to us.

"I believe the new venue is an ideal alternative as there is plenty of room inside for stalls and adequate parking outside. We're also looking at the possibility of using some of the land for children's rides and other festive entertainment.

"It's also only a short walk from Main Street and will help spread festive cheer across a wider area of the village.

"Having agreed the dates and the venue for this year's event, the real work now starts in actively promoting it and securing a wide range of stallholders and entertainment to ensure tourists flock into the village and Haworth remains on the map as a popular destination for festive fun."

Contact Mr Vaux on andrew@arvapr.co.uk or 07871 264610 for further information or to book a stall.