(That means Merry Christmas in German)

SOUTHAMPTON'S city centre could echo to the sounds of oompah bands and smell of sizzling bratwurst and schnitzels this Christmas.

Leisure chiefs are planning to transform the city centre into a German market selling top quality food and drink.

The city would be following the lead of others such as London, Edinburgh and Bristol where German markets are already held and have proved to be a great success.

A huge carousel would form the centrepiece of the market which would sell hand- made quality arts and crafts goods from Germany.

City leisure chiefs plan to have around 50 per cent of the market stalls made in a traditional German style with wooden trestles and canopies.

Genuine traders from every corner of Germany would be allowed to sell the country's beer and mulled wine to get shoppers into the party spirit.

However, tough new laws which restrict outdoor drinking in the city centre would be still be in place while the market was in place during the festive season.

The laws mean that traders working on the market would have to apply for licences before they could sell alcohol to the crowds who would be encouraged to sample the beer and wine.

Street entertainers would also be entertaining the crowds while the market was trading between November 20 and December 22.

The idea of a German market was first mooted by city chiefs three years ago. It was thrown out after the owners of WestQuay and other businesses in the city centre thought locating the event in Above Bar would not be suitable.

But now bosses at the shopping centre have thrown their weight behind the scheme which is due to be discussed by the city council's ruling Liberal Democrat cabinet on August 2.

The market was the brainchild of the city centre's marketing group, who believe it will help boost trade in the city.

Southampton City Centre manager Ian Rothwell told the Daily Echo: "It is a way of brightening up the city centre. The market will be decorated and will have its own Christmas lights.

"Experience in other cities, most recently in Birmingham, has shown that trade for other businesses is boosted substantially because the market brings so many people into the town.

"It attracts people from a wider area. It is a real boost to the trading community as well as being a boost to the city centre environment."

Andy Collyer, Customer Relation-ship Manager for WestQuay, said: "We fully support the initiative for the German market as it will add a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the precinct.

"It will provide visitors with an extra dimension to their Christmas shopping and will encourage new visitors to the city centre, helping maintain Southampton's position as one of the country's top shopping destinations."