THREE shoppers in Nelson received some unexpected extra Christmas spending money after they took part in a survey of shopping habits.

Diane Jackson, of Brierfield, Eileen Connolly, of Burnley and Alice Hey, of Briercliffe, won £25, £15 and £10 in shopping vouchers respectively after their names were pulled from a prize draw of shoppers who agreed to be questioned by Nelson and Colne College students about what they thought of Nelson as a place to shop.

The GNVQ business studies students were commissioned by Pendle Council to carry out research on the town centre. Their findings will be used by the authority as part of its regeneration of the centre.

Irene Lomas, the students' tutor, said: "The students questioned shoppers on issues such as why they shop in the town centre, what they like or dislike about it and what facilities or shops they want to see in the future."

Nina Pinder, of the council's regeneration unit, added: "The information should greatly assist the council to identify the types of shoppers in Nelson and what each type of shopper wants from their shopping experience in the town."

The students will repeat the questionnaire in the spring, along with a mystery shopper exercise to asses local stores, before putting their finds together in a report to the council by June.

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