YORK'S most popular continental-style market is to expand - with a market outside the Minster.

St Nicholas Fayre draws visitors to the city every year with its Victorian-style stalls in Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square.

But this year the festive event will be even bigger, with market stalls outside York Minster for the first time.

It is hoped the extra stalls will make the event, which runs from November 27 to 30, even more popular, and give York a continental feel.

The new market, which will be in College Street outside the Minster, will be devoted to selling local produce from the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Food Group.

The group's business development consultant, Susan Logan, said the extra stalls would mean more local produce would be for sale during the four-day event.

"So many members are keen to come to St Nicholas Fayre because it is such a big event. We are so pleased that City of York Council and the Minster have worked very hard with us so we could have the area," she said. Produce for sale on the stalls will include venison, pork, smoked fish, wine, punch and confectionery.

She added that the event would be particularly special as the craft fair at St William's College, just across the road from the Minster, would be taking place at the same time.

York Minster welcomed the food market, saying they hoped it would attract even more people to that part of the city.

A Minster spokeswoman said: "It is good that the festival is expanding into other areas of the city so visitors see the hidden corners of York. It is good for York and the Minster.

"It should be a great event."

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said she was delighted that the Christmas market was expanding.

Updated: 10:57 Thursday, October 30, 2003