ONE thousand free tickets are up for grabs for Chippenham Mayor Sandie Webb's Kiddies Millennium Christmas Party, to be held on November 18.

Primary age children from Chippenham are invited to attend the party in the Neeld Hall, with a disco afterwards for eight to 11 year olds.

Geest, on Bumpers Farm, has offered 1,000 bananas and Safeway will provide 1,000 packets of crisps.

Key Day Nursery has offered to sponsor the cost of the children's entertainers, Moon Carrot, which will cost £350.

The giant party will run from 11am to 4pm, with five one-hour party shifts each taking up to 200 children.

Father Christmas will be on hand to listen to requests. A table with paper and pencils, and a North Pole post box will also be provided.

A prize square draw will be held with a children's bike, a food hamper, a signed England football and a Chippenham Town FC shirt among the prizes.

The dancing will follow on, with the Martini Disco, from 5pm till 8pm.

Prizes will be awarded to the best dancer, break dancer, and street/line dancer.

Parents will be able to take advantage of the party to do some Christmas shopping.

Coun Webb is organising the party with the town council and many other sponsors and supporters. She hopes the gala event will highlight the campaign to provide new playing fields for Chippenham.

But tickets are in limited supply so parents should call in at the town hall to complete a form to book tickets for the party and the disco.