Visitors to Leyland town centre will be forgiven for thinking they have stepped into a scene from ‘A Christmas Carol’ over the next few weeks.

Keen to drum up some Christmas cheer, South Ribble Borough Council has launched a festive ‘Best Dressed Window’ competition for local shops this year.

The council’s regeneration experts are encouraging shops and businesses along Hough Lane to decorate their windows with all things festive in a bid to make Christmas shopping more fun for visitors to Leyland.

Every shop that decorates its window will be judged by a panel of experts and the winner will be awarded £250 to donate to their chosen charity and a free advert for their business in the council’s own newspaper FORWARD, which it delivers to every home in South Ribble four times a year.

The competition ties in with a series of other activities that are being held in the town centre this Christmas, culminating in a festive fun day along Hough Lane on Saturday 6 December that will feature a Christmas parade, a talent show, funfair, Christmas carols and Father Christmas.

Councillor Linda Williams, chairman of the ‘Christmas in Leyland’ working group said: “The response we’ve had from local businesses has been fantastic.

"They have really been getting into the festive spirit of the competition.

"We want to make this Christmas one to remember for business owners, residents and visitors to Leyland.

"There is still time to enter our best dressed window competition so I would like to encourage business and shop owners not to rest on their laurels and contact our Economic Development Team as soon as possible.”

For information about how to enter the competition, contact the council’s Economic Development Team on 01772 625441, or email econdevet@southribble.gov.uk for details.

The closing date for entries is Friday 5 December.