Every December on a Sunday before Christmas the cobbled streets of central Macclesfield buzz with festive music, brass bands, sociable chatter, the smell of roast chestnuts, spiced cider and freshly cooked street food for the much awaited Festive Treacle.

It's no ordinary Christmas Market though, and you might well find 'Belsnickel' rather than Father Christmas wandering among the stalls, and visitors from many miles away who visit specially as they love this unique event each year.

But this is a year of compromise at Christmas and Treacle is no different.

Organiser Jane Munro said: "Regardless of Tiers or Lockdowns we feel it would be unwise to bring a large crowd together at this time. Treacle is not cancelled just spread over four days instead."

They will be holding four Tiny Treacles with craft, vintage and food stalls instead in Market Place on the following days: Saturdays 5th, 12th and 19th and Sunday 20th December, all from 10am - 3pm.

During November the 'Lockdown Larder' Treacle food market on Saturdays was monitored by the police and delivered in a spaced out format in Market Place.

Local visitors wore masks and enjoyed the open air mini food market, using the hand sanitising stations on lamp posts and social distancing whilst queuing.

Organisers are carrying on with a similar format for the Tiny Treacles in Market Place for the next three Saturdays, with the fourth Tiny Treacle being on Sunday 20th December.

Organisers hope these mini markets of 25 stalls with the enticing mix of craft, vintage and food and drink will be just right to help you get your Christmas shopping done for friends and family, and importantly will encourage people to visit local shops too.

Jane added: "Covid has decimated normal trading for so many businesses during what should have been their busiest time of year.

"We urge people to support these local shops cafes, bars and restaurants who will be open when they visit Tiny Treacle".