Glasgow’s Christmas markets will return to George Square and St Enoch Square for the next three years.

Market Place Europe Ltd is expected to secure the contract this week to hold events until 2020.

The company had held the festive markets between 2011 and 2016 before losing out on the contract last year.

Organisers are hoping to attract more than a million visitors to the city during the five-week event in December.

This year the markets will include 150 chalet-style stalls over the two sites, including food, drinks, crafts and gifts from 32 different countries.

A report by the council’s director of governance, Carole Forrest, has estimated that the markets will be worth more than £600,000.

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Ms Forrest said: “The Christmas markets are a key festive attraction in the heart of Glasgow City Centre, generating high footfall and visitors from the surrounding Glasgow area and beyond.

“These high-profile locations present an opportunity for the appointed bidder to deliver successful seasonal markets as part of the Glasgow Loves Christmas campaign.

“This is an income generating contract. The period of the contract is three years with the option to extend for a further 12 months.”

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Visitors will be able to enjoy a Victorian carousel ride, a vintage helter-skelter and a giant advent calendar which reveals treats every day in the run-up to Christmas.

Those heading to George Square will be able to see the two largest windmill chalets in Europe.

Ms Forrest added: “Marketplace Europe Ltd pay the living wage and utilise work-life balance processes. For children with special requirements such as autism, the supplier is introducing two market sessions which will have significantly reduced bright and flashing lighting and no music.”