ONE CHRISTMAS event will still be going ahead this year to help west Dorset residents 'cheer up' this Christmas.

The annual Christmas Cheer event in Bridport has been cancelled this year, however, its volunteer committee has come up with an idea to host a market to bring some festive cheer to the town and to help encourage everyone to shop locally this Christmas.

The Bridport Christmas 'Cheer-Up' Market will take place on Saturday, December 12 along South Street, West Street, East Street and Down Street.

Organisers have arranged for the weekly market to be extended to allow additional local Christmas traders and charities to attend, selling Christmas gifts, hand-crafted items and more. The market will run from 9am to 4pm. There will also be a farmers' market taking place on Barrack Street and the Lyric Theatre.

Strict social distancing rules will be in place and there will be additional stewards to ensure that the rules are adhered to.

A spokesman for the event said: "Christmas isn’t cancelled after all and December 12 is the day to enjoy Christmas shopping in Bridport!

"All of our town businesses have had a tough time during the pandemic which is why it is more important than ever that we all do everything we possibly can to support them this Christmas."

Alongside the wide selection of Christmas gifts and goodies from a number of independent shops, the day will also include Christmas music played through Bucky Doo Square, a morris dancing performance outside Bridport Antiques, a hand-crafted, illuminated nativity scene at the Lyric Theatre and a misplaced fir cone competition put together by Bridport Carnival. In addition to this, a number of shops will be open and charities raising funds throughout the streets so keep an eye out. There are even prizes to be won for the best stall and shop window.

The High Sheriff of Dorset, George Streatfeild, will be presenting the High Sheriff Awards in Bucky Doo Square at 11am to thank members of the town council and the community for their work supporting the vulnerable during the pandemic.

There will also be an online market for those who cannot attend - courtesy of a successful Crowdfunder campaign. The online market can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/markets/bridport