PREPARATIONS are under way for the annual Billericay Christmas Market.
Following last year's success with 25,000 visitors and £25,000 raised for local charities, and many shop owners enjoying their best trading day of the year, Mayflower Rotary Club will be closing High Street to traffic again this year to stage the free event.
The market will take place on Sunday, December 2, from 11am to 5pm.
Father Christmas will be appearing at the earlier time of 11am and has a new home. This year's parade will open the market at 11am and deliver Santa to his larger grotto in the Community Day Centre in Chantry Way.
Billericay Christmas Market heralds the start of the festive season in the town. The High Street will be hosting 120 farmers, craft and Continental market stalls , together with the 100 shops that will also be open.
In addition to the £1 children's rides, there will be a family favourite, a carousel, in the car park behind Iceland.
Entertainment will include carols in St Mary Magdalen Church, and the two stages of live music in the high street will feature both pop and traditional tunes from local groups.
There will be free parking at the railway station in Radford Way, at Billericay School in School Road, and at St John's School in Stock Road.
Visit billericaychristmasmarket. co.uk for more information about this year's event.