By Bill Wilson Business reporter, BBC News, Birmingham

Illuminated Santas spin on top of one of the cosy gluehwein stalls

Germany is the leading "brand" in Christmas markets, with UK tour operators increasingly offering cheap flight and package deals to the home of gluehwein and bratwurst for British shoppers.

Both those staples feature hugely at any seasonal market in Germany.

But for UK consumers who prefer to savour the taste and experience a little bit closer to home, a number of UK cities are getting in on the act.

One of the longest-established is the Frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham, which began in 2001 with 22 stalls and has since expanded to more than 90.

The city's organisers claim it is the largest authentic German market outside Germany or Austria, bringing major benefits to the city coffers and industry every year.

And having been at a Christmas market in Germany recently, I can vouch that Birmingham has everything and more - authentic sausages, beer, breads, stews, chestnuts, sweets, chocolates, pretzels, tin toys, ceramic gifts, jewellery and a host of other products.

Family affair

Each year, 250 Germans - stallholders, staff and family members - decamp to Birmingham for six weeks for the duration of the market, running this year from 15 November to 23 December.

Petra Ahrend(l) and daughter Madeline at their sausage stand

Three generations of the Ahrend family from Bremen are making their seventh visit to sell their sizzling red and white German sausages.

The market is self-financing. The German stallholders import and construct their own stalls each year and live in city hotels or apartments for the duration.

This year, the family has spent �20,000 on renting five apartments in Birmingham for 26 people, including children, for six weeks.

They hope to cover that outlay in sales of their sausages and also through their sales of bread, cakes, crepes and pancakes.

Shopping spree

"In the first year, it was not so busy," says Petra Ahrend, 46.

"We were only making enough money to cover our food and hotel bills.

"Over the years, the market has become more and more popular, and the attendances get bigger each year."

Bread lovers have a variety to choose from at the market

Market bosses estimate that this year, close to 600 coach parties will be coming to Birmingham to visit the market from all over the UK.

Petra's daughter Madeline, 20, adds: "British people like our German food very much - we see the same people return every year to us.

"Most of the money we make stays in England, however, at Selfridges, Tesco and all your other shops here in Birmingham."

In fact, the city council estimates that the German contingent spends between �700,000 and �1.1m during their 42 days in Birmingham.

And they also estimate that �120m is taken at the market, with more than �200m being spent in the city during the duration when other spending is taken into account.

Classic cars

"The last three weeks have been really hectic," says market worker Bruce Robinson.

Bruce Robinson surrounded by traditional German tin toys

The 41-year-old Briton is helping out on a stall selling traditional German tin toys, and owned by his friend Brigitte Ostermann from Munich.

Her Pinocchio stall sells small gifts and also more expensive collectors' items - such as a tin model of the Sunbeam 1000 car, which was the first to reach 200mph back in 1927.

"The toys have proved so popular in the past that this year, we have two stalls," says Mr Robinson.

Fruity

At Mike Topper's stall, chocolate-covered fruit is on sale. He is one of the original visitors from 2001.

The 47-year-old is something of a market rarity in that he is actually from Frankfurt, which has been twinned with Birmingham for 41 years,

He now lives in Munich, where he uses his love of fruit to make and sell cocktails during the summer months.

"The market is not just about selling items, it is to celebrate Christmas too. My chocolate fruits are popular with girls and families. It is a very friendly market."

Jeweller Achim Brocks is from Willich-Anrath, near Duesseldorf, and is another veteran of 2001.

Preparing a chocolate and fruit treat at Mike Topper's stand

He sells silver, pearl, diamond and semi-precious stone items that are partly made in Germany and partly in the UK.

"Luckily for me, jewellery is a traditional Christmas gift and the customers keep coming back - I already have orders for next year," he says.

His items are priced between �5 and �990, with most in the �15 to �70 range.

"My prices are a little bit higher than what you generally get on sale in the UK, but my customers do not seem to mind."

Meeting points

One of the most popular people at the market has to be Nadine Loewenthal, a 28-year-old from Bremen who runs two stalls selling gluehwein and beer.

Nobody comes here to lose money - and I make a profit - but they want to enjoy themselves too Nadine Loewenthal

One has a huge revolving top to it, and those who indulge too much in her wares, including German wheat beer, are likely to find their heads spinning.

"My stalls are popular meeting points. I have been here every year and don't think the market has reached its peak yet," she says.

The market is now a fixture on Birmingham's calendar

As the market has grown in size and appeal, many of the German stallholders - including Nadine - have registered companies in the UK, so they pay taxes to HMRC on income gained from the market.

And she jokingly points out that it is better for her that the British prefer beer to gluehwein, as tax on the latter is higher in the UK.

"Nobody comes here from Germany to lose money - and I make a profit - but they want to enjoy themselves too."

According to Jim Kelly, city centre operations manager, the market brings not only money to the local economy, but also good cheer to the streets.

"As well as bringing variety in terms of shopping, it also creates a friendly welcoming atmosphere and is here for people of whatever race, class, creed or age."