Manchester Christmas markets OPEN on Saturday as Storm Bert brings snow and rain

The Christmas markets in Manchester city centre are open on Saturday despite Storm Bert bringing high winds and driving rain to the region, the council has confirmed.

Council leaders said extra staff have been drafted in to deal with any potential issues, but said the markets were open as usual.

It comes as a number of Christmas lights switch-on events have fallen foul of the weather, with organisers in Shaw and Crompton, Oldham, forcing to move a celebration inside and in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, cancelling the event entirely.

Images from the city centre today showed market-goers braving the wind and rain to queue at stalls despite the weather conditions.

Shoppers were also captured battling through downpours and high winds.

READ MORE: LIVE UK weather: Storm Bert brings snow, wind and rain - latest updates

Football fixtures are also now being cancelled. Rochdale's derby day National League clash with Oldham Athletic at Spotland has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch after a pitch inspection.

Storm Bert is battering the country with strong winds, heavy rain and snow and ice, with amber warnings coming into force bringing a 'potential risk to life and property'.

Travel is being widely disrupted, with roads closed and some train routes cancelled throughout Saturday with rail companies urging passengers to avoid travelling to certain areas.

Winds of up to 68mph have been recorded and 13cm of snow has fallen in some parts of the country on Saturday morning, a Met Office spokesperson said, while 38 flood alerts are in place across the UK.

In Greater Manchester, a 17-hour yellow-coded warning of rain and snow came into force at around 4am on Saturday morning.

It warns of heavy snow followed by a rapid thaw and