There had been fears it would have to be cancelled, because of safety concerns if fire-fighters went on strike.

But the market's safety committee has now been given assurances by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service that adequate cover will be provided - whether fire-fighters are on strike or not.

City businesses had worried they would miss out on large amounts of income if the market had to be abandoned.

Fire marshals

The market started in 1981 with just a handful of stalls.

Last year the event attracted 150,000 visitors, generating an estimated £10m for the local economy.

Lincoln City Council's tourism manager Rob Bradley said: "It's a major relief for the city council in terms of organising the event and I think that relief will be shared by a lot of the people and businesses in Lincoln.

"It will also be good news for all the many thousands of people who were planning to come and have had some uncertainty over their attendance."

Fire marshals

Mr Bradley said the organisers had done the right thing in warning people about the problems the market faced.

Fire cover will now be provided by retained fire-fighters, senior officers and non-union members.

There will also be dedicated fire marshals patrolling the area and a fire appliance stationed on site.