A NATIONAL radio show will be broadcast live from York’s Christmas market tomorrow.

BBC 6 Music’s Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie have decided to bring their annual festive roadshow to the city this year, working out of a special radio grotto inside Thor’s Tipi in Parliament Street.

Bringing a festive mix of music and interviews, they will be joined by the Maximo Park’s Paul Smith, Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory and writer Kate Atkinson, whose debut best-selling novel Behind the Scenes at The Museum was based in York.

Shed Seven singer and York music scene stalwart Rick Witter will also be appearing.

“For extra Christmas sparkle, there will also be live performances and heavenly sounds from The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon - at 1.30pm - Field Music and The Cornshed Sisters at 2.45pm and folk superstar Eliza Carthy, who will round off the live broadcast at 3.30pm,” said a spokeswoman.

Mark said:“We are very happy to be gift wrapping ourselves as a sparkling Christmas treat for the good burghers of York.

“Seriously, it is one of my favourite places in England. And Stuart would say so too, if he hadn’t lost his voice at the moment!”

Programme producer Lizzie Hoskin said she studied music at the University of York and thought it needed ‘a bit of a lift’ after last winter’s ‘horrible’ floods, hence the choice of the city for the show.

She stressed there wouldn’t be an opportunity for the public to watch, other than people inside the tipi at the time.

Kate McMullen, head of tourism at Make It York, said, she was delighted BBC Radio 6 would be running a live broadcast from the city, which would provide ‘fantastic exposure’ for York.

“After a challenging start to the year, we’re ending on a high note and the feedback we’ve received to the York Christmas Festival, the St Nicholas Fair and Ice Trail has all been very positive,” she said.

“The children’s fair in King’s Square has been really popular too, as well as York Chocolate Story’s Santa’s grotto, which has been exceptionally busy.

“We’re also looking forward to the Shambles Market Christmas Party this weekend.

“It’s important to stress that the BBC 6 Music broadcast will be of a very limited capacity, taking place inside Thor’s Tipi.

“The Tipi opens at the usual time of 11am and once capacity is reached, the doors will be closed,” she added.