METROLINK Christmas elves are coming back to Manchester city centre to spread festive cheer and lend a helping hand to shoppers and visitors.

The team of elves, kitted out in Metrolink’s official colours, will be around city centre tram stops in the run up to Christmas to meet and greet people with a handy Metrolink bag for life, city centre maps, and the offer of an "elfie selfie."

Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, said: “It’s not only the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the busiest, with the Christmas markets in full swing and plenty to do and see."