It may only be October but dates for the very first German inspired Christmas market in St Albans has been confirmed.

The 24-day market, which will run from November 28 until December 21, will take place around the 11th-century St Albans Cathedral and in the Vintry Gardens.

St Albans has what is thought to be the longest regularly held market in the same location in the country and records show that the market has been in same location in the city centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays for over 1,100 years.

But this will be the very first time the city has had a German-inspired Christmas market.

Councillor Beric Read, portfolio holder for localism and community engagement at the district council said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be holding our first German-inspired Christmas Market this year.

"We are very proud of our famous twice-weekly market, so this year we thought it was about time we had a proper European-style Christmas Market.

"St Albans is only 20 minutes on the train from St Pancras and we believe we are the nearest Christmas Market to central London, so we are expecting thousands of visitors.

"It will certainly be a market worth visiting as it will be held in a stunning central location around our Cathedral. St Albans is very good at mixing the historic with the contemporary. Visitors to the market will be able to soak up our amazing history here in St Albans, and at the same time enjoy a fresh and unique Christmas experience."

There will be up to 55 traditional wooden chalets and highlights include Cathedral Choristers, a Rock Choir by candlelight, light projections on the Abbey for the first time ever and ‘A Made in Herts, Beds and Bucks’ section.

Councillor Read added: "St Albans has had quite a year in 2013. In the summer we celebrated our unique place in the Magna Carta's history with the Magna Carta coming to the Cathedral for a month. This event attracted thousands of visitors to the city and our magnificent Cathedral.

"We are confident that this magical German-inspired Christmas market will do the same, and close 2013 in style."