Lighting up town

THE countdown to Christmas in Littlehampton has begun, after town mayor Mark Butler switched on the new shopping centre lights.

And, on Saturday, a special Christmas family fun day promises six hours of entertainment for all ages, followed by a firework finale at Caffyn s Field.

Organisers, the Town Centre Action Group, opted for a daytime festive event this year and are convinced the programme they have lined up will be the best around.

Councillor Mike Northeast, chairman of the action group, said: "We are always looking to do something different from the bigger towns around us we know we can t compete with them as shopping centres.

"But we don t know of any major towns round here who are putting on this level of entertainment on a Saturday in the run-up to Christmas. It s a whole day of leisure activities, so people can stay around and do their Christmas shopping and watch the entertainment inbetween."

The move to a daytime event was prompted by a wish to make the occasion more family-friendly, compared with cold, dark nights which, in some previous years, have failed to attract large numbers of people.

Snow is guaranteed in Littlehampton whatever the weather but only inside a winter sports simulator. Other attractions will include Southern FM s roadshow, balloon modeller Mr Balloonatic, children s roundabouts, handbell ringers and a samba band.

During the firework display at Caffyn s Field at 6pm, a collection will be taken by Littlehampton Bonfire Society towards its 50th anniversary event next year.

More entertainment has been booked for the following two Saturdays, including Littlehampton Town Band on December 15 and again on December 22, when they will be joined by the Expedient Jazz Band.