Shops and restaurants in Totnes have assured visitors they will be opening late tomorrow night despite the town council cancelling the popular outdoor Christmas Market due to stormy weather predictions.

The town council called a halt on the annual street market after the Met Office forecast heavy rain and strong winds for Tuesday December 10.

Graham Burrell of Little Blue Budgie said his shop will be open as usual, along with many others.

He said: “I have just done a quick poll around me and everyone I have spoken to will be open and welcoming visitors.

“Little Blue Budgie and most of the shops and restaurants will be open and welcoming visitors.”

The town council said it made the decision to cancel the street market with a “heavy heart."

The indoor craft market due to have taken place in the Civic Hall from 3pm on tomorrow has also been cancelled and will now take place next Tuesday instead.

On its Facebook page, Totnes Christmas Festival Nights said it was “feeling heartbroken,” adding: “It’s bad news folks. With a heavy heart the council has taken the decision to cancel tomorrow’s Christmas Festival event (Tuesday 10th December 2019) due to adverse weather.

“The indoor craft market in the Civic Hall will also move to next Tuesday.”

According to the Met Office, tomorrow will be “wet and windy day with spells of rain, perhaps heaviest and more persistent later on.”

The first of this year’s new-look Christmas market and late night shopping festival was hailed a huge success by organisers.

The event attracted thousands of shoppers and revellers and featured a host of art, craft and artisan stalls, live music, street entertainment, buskers and food from around the world.

Organisers are determined to make sure the town’s last Christmas market of the year next Tuesday December 17 is the best yet.

The festival nights Facebook page declared: “We are determined to make the 17th an extravaganza though! If you know of people planning to come, please share this message with them.”