THERE will be a real Spirit of Christmas about the late night shopping extravaganza in Marlborough next Thursday.

The organisers are promising it will be the biggest and best event since its name was changed from the Victorian Evening to Spirit several years ago.

Jackie Dicks, who is one of the organising committee, said this year the accent has been on what Christmas is all about, giving and receiving.

There will be gifts from a Santa's Grotto for all the under sevens and families are also being invited to donate to a Gift for a Child, for youngsters of all ages.

Waitrose's customer service desk will be the reception point for wrapped gifts from now until next Thursday. Gifts can also be taken along on the day and placed under a Christmas tree outside the Polly tearooms.

Donated toys will be distributed to needy children in the county by groups including the NSPCC and Salvation Army.

Activities on the evening, which runs from 6pm to 9pm, will include a disco for the under sevens in the town hall, while at the opposite end of the High Street there will be fun for the seven to teens age group with go kart rides, a bucking reindeer and a slide. Charity stalls will line the street and there will be wandering circus acts including stilt walkers dressed as dragons.

Music will be a major part of the celebrations, which will include the switching on of the town's Christmas lights.