HILLINGDON Council is inviting residents and visitors to get into the Christmas spirit and come along to the Eastcote Festive Market on Saturday 3 December.

The Festive Market will be held on national Small Business Saturday UK to encourage people to ‘shop local’ and support their small independent businesses.

The event offers fun for all the family and will showcase a variety of children’s entertainment including free Christmas craft workshops and live Punch and Judy shows.

There will also be a magician, face painting and live street bands and musicians playing throughout the day.

The market is the perfect place to purchase seasonal gifts and stocking fillers with a variety of stalls from craftspeople and independent retailers selling Christmas crafts, boutique clothing, handmade jewellery and Christmas hampers.

The Ascott Pub will be hosting a winter barbeque and visitors can enjoy homemade cakes and decorative biscuits.

Shops along the high street will be decking the halls by entering into the best-dressed Christmas shop window competition, which will be judged on the day by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor John Hensley.

With letters hidden along the high street, visitors of all ages can enjoy taking part in the Eastcote Scavenger Hunt.

Those who are successful in cracking the code can claim a handy shopping list pad and a unique festive themed Eastcote tote shopping bag.

Councillor Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s Christmas market in Eastcote as it promises to be a fun and festive day out for all the family.

“Hillingdon Council has invested into the improvement of Eastcote town centre by offering funding grants to local businesses, and we hope this event will encourage more customers to support local enterprises and shop within their local community and high streets.”

The event will be held in the Ascott Pub car park on 144 Field End Road between 10am and 4.30pm, and plenty of local businesses along the high street will also be joining in the festivities.

For more information, please visit: www.hillingdon.gov.uk/events