NEW Saints signing Lachlan Coote helped launch the inaugural Christmas Markets at the Gerard Arms pub.

The full back joined Saints coach Justin Holbrook and Windle councillor David Baines to officially launch the markets, which are under a huge marquee at the back of the Dentons Green pub.

Tonight's launch also saw Christmas Elves from Ultimate Party People entertain children.

The markets, which will see 96 stalls over eight days, will be open from midday until 11pm each day until Sunday, December 16 and again from Thursday, December 20 to Sunday 23.

At the launch, Gerard landlord Mark Hayes said: "Christmas markets are so festive and needed, (I thought) why not do it? So I just put the idea out there to see if anyobody wanted stalls and the next minute we've got 96 over eight days. 

"So it's going to be a good one for the whole of Dentons Green and St Helens. It's all local sellers and charities and organisations who are not making any profit, it's about us coming together as a community.

"We're honoured to have Saints down here. It's coming together and it's going to be a better Christmas in Dentons Green at the Gerard Arms."

Windle councillor David Baines added: "Since Mark took over the Gerard he has done a fantastic job of engaging with the community with the Dementia Coffee Morning and engaging with residents and this is just the latest one and it's fantastic.

"I think local residents are really going to enjoy it and it's going to become, hopefully, a Windle Christmas tradition."