WHITCHURCH traders have reported a successful turnout for their Christmas shopping extravaganza on Saturday morning.

The town centre was decorated in a festive theme and shop staff dressed up for the celebration event, which featured a host of attractions to keep shoppers entertained.

Aside from the shopping and a country market, there were pony and trap rides, hot chestnuts, carol singing and music from the Testbourne Community School music group.

Town mayor and council chairman Cllr Barry Jackman, who co-ordinated the event, said: "It went wonderfully well. "Everything was really well received and from my discussions with the shops they have reported taking a third or a half as much again as they normally would on a Saturday morning."

It is now hoped shopkeepers will set up a traders association to help promote Whitchurch as a place to shop.

"We've got another meeting in January and hopefully we will set something up then," Cllr Jackman added.