EVERY community event claims that this year it is going to be bigger and better than ever before but as far as Devizes Christmas Market is concerned, it is nothing but the truth.

Alex Duffey, of Devizes Development Partnership, and his small team of dedicated workers, have organised a brilliant event to accompany the switching on of the Christmas lights in the town centre on November 28.

Three weeks before the event, all the space available in the Market Place, the Brittox and High Street had been booked, the earliest this has ever happened.

Mr Duffey said: "I wish we had more space to let.

"It all went so quickly I couldn't believe it. And that is after we raised the rent by 50 per cent from last year.

"It is a good indication how popular Devizes Christmas Market has become.

"Stallholders from previous years are keen to come back and others who hear about it on the grapevine are queuing up to get on board."

About 75 stalls, featuring everything from cards to toys, clothes to candles, will fill the Market Place and the Brittox while street entertainers will be performing throughout the town centre and barrel organs and children's rides will offer additional festive cheer.

Devizes Samba Band, better known as Oi Sambistas!, will bring a Latin American beat to the proceedings.

Devizes Boys Brigade Old Boys Band will also be playing.

And the the event is attracting widespread interest from radio stations, with a visit from GWR Radio's Black Thunder team.

In the Corn Exchange there will be a craft fair and the Shambles market hall is also being brought into use for more commercial stalls and for local charity groups who would like to earn money for their causes.

As usual, the high point of the day will be the arrival of Father Christmas by canal barge at the Wharf, organised by Devizes Lions Club.

After he has disembarked and handed out sweets to children who have turned out to welcome him, he will climb into a vintage car belonging to veteran Lions Club member Tom Fussell to be driven to the Market Place, where he will switch on the lights.

Although Devizes Christmas Market is only in its third year, it has already established itself as a major event in the county.

Hundreds of people from far afield come to sample the wares and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

And the event raises money for the benefit of the town.

Last year Mr Duffey was able to present enough money to the town's Christmas lights committee to provide an extra strand of lights across Maryport Street.

The evening will end, as it has for the past two years, with a spectacular firework display, set off from the arts park in New Park Street. It will be sponsored by Devizes Development Partnership.

Mr Duffey is already planning a bigger and better Christmas market for next year.