CHRISTMAS shoppers in Darwen are being encouraged to gobble up a special festive initiative.

The borough council has launched a Turkey Trail featuring a character called Toby the Turkey.

The idea is that shoppers follow Toby’s directions to shops in and around Darwen’s town centre completing their Christmas shopping.

When they make a purchase in one of six designated zones, they will recieve a sticker on a ‘gobble card’ which can be picked up from the Market Annexe or Town Hall.

When all six stickers are on the card, it can be returned to the Markets Office where it will then be entered for a chance to win a prize worth over £300.

All participating shops and stalls will display a poster. The zones are as follows: Zone One – Duckworth Street, two – Market Street, three – Bridge Street, four – Bolton Road, five – Railway Road, six – Darwen Market.