THE countdown for Christmas has begun at Bents Garden and Home after the official opening of the store's festive displays.

The Mayor of Warrington Cllr Karen Mundry joined the team at the garden centre in Glazebury to open this year’s Christmas experience which has been created to look like an enchanted forest and winter wonderland.

Christmas at Bents has been kept strictly under wraps for the past six weeks but the hard work was finally revealed on Wednesday.

Cllr Mundry said: "The Christmas opening at Bents has become quite a tradition in the Mayor’s diary and one which I am delighted to continue.

"Bents is a hugely successful local business which undergoes a fantastic transformation at this time of year."

Bents’ Winter Food Market is open from 12pm every day and has a new, extended menu as well as more evening entertainment, with live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 6 to 8pm.

Father Christmas’ official arrival will take place on November 10 at 10am.

Bents’ Family Fun Weekend returns on December 8 and 9 while the Elf Adventure Challenge will take place on December 17