ORGANISERS of Worcester's Victorian Christmas Fayre are predicting the 11th annual event will be the biggest and best ever after they sold out of stall space.

A staggering 110 traders have already registered for the street market, which last year attracted more than 100,000 people to the city.

Though the cut-off date was several weeks ago, applications from people who want to run a stall are still pouring in.

Claire Collier, the city council's assistant tourism and marketing manager, believes it's a measure of how popular the event has become.

"There's two months still to go, we're still getting applications, but we're having to tell would-be traders: 'Sorry, there's just no room left'," she said.

Last year, 400 pre-booked coaches, travelling from as far afield as Leeds and Taunton, were attracted to the sights, sounds and smells of a 19th Century Worcester.

Many of the favourite stall-holders will be making a welcome reappearance alongside some new ones including Worcester artist, Gary Walton, who will be exhibiting limited edition prints and original paintings.

Handmade Christmas cards and framed illustrations will be on offer from Alice Potterton and Emma Jones from Evesham, while specialist German-style cards and bonsai trees will be other unusual items available.

"It's difficult to imagine a more festive and joyous scene than this Victorian Fayre when it's in full swing," said city councillor Francis Lankester, portfolio holder for tourism and riverside regeneration.

"This year's Fayre promises to eclipse every one that's gone so far. Preparation is now well under way, and I don't doubt we'll see all sorts of records broken again."

Tourist chiefs see The Fayre as a major boost in the run-up to Christmas - and its effect in raising the city's profile is also thought to increase visitor numbers during the rest of the year.

This year's event runs from Thursday, November 27, to Sunday, November 30.