A Dickensian style market that has brought the Christmas spirit to Witham for years may have run for the last time.

The event, which features festive themed stalls and fancy dress inspired by the novels of Charles Dickens, has proved to be a crowd-puller for many years.

Every November Witham comes together on Newland Street to celebrate Christmas old school with an annual Market, providing the perfect opener for a Christmas Light Switch-on.

But now the council is debating whether to reinvent one of the highlights of Witham’s Christmas calendar following Saturday’s (November 30) event.

A Witham Town Council spokesman said: “The Dickensian Christmas Market provided some early season cheer for local citizens who have been loyal and supportive for the many years this local function has run.

“However, the question remains as to whether or not the Dickensian Market will return to Witham for 2020.

“Members of the Council’s Events Review Group are considering bold new proposals for a complete reinvention of Christmas in Witham, from markets to street lighting.

“We will be looking to expand the switch-on significantly and make it more central to Christmas in Witham, and we almost certainly will be increasing our budget for Christmas to deliver something better.”

Previous years have seen town councillors take part in the historical fancy dress alongside residents.

The market also offered businesses the opportunity to raise their profile in the community and provide shoppers with a range of Christmas related items.

Events Coordinator Lauren Brimson said: “We would like to thank everyone that made it out to the Dickensian Market on Saturday.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, a few stallholders and entertainers had to cancel last minute, but we had plenty of great stalls attend.

“The Big Sing sounded fantastically festive which more than made up for it.

“We also managed to raise lots of money for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal, which supports Citizens Advice and Youth Projects in Witham.”

The Council spokesman added: “The Dickensian event has been loved by many for a very long time, but the Council now feels the time is right to deliver something completely new, significantly larger and more in touch with the demographics of Witham as a growing town.”