A REAL-LIFE nativity brought some festive cheer to Oastler Market on Sunday with many traders reporting a boost in sales.

The pop-up farm helped children understand the true meaning of Christmas as Mary, played by Jo Kenyon, introduced baby Jesus to the crowd.

Shipley’s Salvation Army band played carols while young children met Santa and had their faces painted in colourful Christmas designs.

One of the many families enjoying the fun was Shazma Parveen, who grew up visiting the market with her mother, joined by her children.

The mum-of-three, who revisited the market after more than 20 years, said her children loved getting involved with the tradition.

As she watched her daughters getting snowman face paint, she told the Telegraph & Argus: "We went to see the nativity, it puts things into place for them.

"It's not something we celebrate but they still get to do it and be a part of it.

"Normally I don't (come up here) because I feel like we go to the Broadway - if it's cold we just stay there.

"I used to come here as a child. I wanted to show them I'd come here with my mum."

Many traders felt the event had definitely increased footfall with Ashfaq Qazi, the owner of Spice World and Food World, explaining his stalls had been "busy" all morning.

The businessman said: "Thanks to the council, thanks for people coming to this market. My business is going up."

Another stallholder, Cammy Dutta from Pundits, felt the market had experienced a busy week on the whole with Saturday feeling quieter than days just passed.

It was a sentiment echoed by Gunther Giangregorio, who runs Roswithas Delicatessen.

He said family events like these are needed to attract more visitors to the top of Bradford.

Mr Giangregorio explained: "It's definitely increased footfall. Any events that take place are always a bonus. We're cut off here.

"We rely on customers that come all the time and Christmas time we get customers who only come a few times a year. But we struggle with footfall."

The real life nativity is part of a programme of events organised by Bradford Markets Service to encourage people to visit markets across the district in the run up to Christmas.

Khansa Tufail, Bradford Council’s marketing and promotions Officer for Bradford Markets, hopes people will try do their weekly shopping after seeing the range of stalls. She said: "We would love people to come and discover the fantastic products that they have to offer.”