Darlington businesses are being urged to back a campaign to persuade more people to choose the town for their Christmas shopping.

Members of the Darlington Town Centre Forum have started planning this year's celebrations.

They will include Christmas markets, a best-dressed window competition and a parade with reindeers, bands and dancers to welcome Father Christmas to the town.

The forum, which includes traders and representatives of Darlington Borough Council, has written to every town centre business asking for sponsorship.

Last year, about £33,000 was raised to promote the celebrations, and it is hoped to match that this time around.

A marketing campaign will be based upon a brochure to be posted to 100,000 homes, backed up by bus, radio and newspaper advertising.

In a report, John Buxton, the council's director of development and environment, warns the town faces stronger competition for Christmas shoppers this year from Durham, Middlesbrough and Stockton.

He says: "A campaign such as this is obviously very costly and needs every business to take part and share the cost.

"If we do not raise the level of sponsorship that we had last year, the campaign will have to be reduced accordingly."

November 5 will be the date for the big lights switch in Darlington.

The Christingle markets will also be held again, on High Row every Thursday from November 30 until Christmas Eve.

The town centre forum will meet to discuss Mr Buxton's report at a meeting at the town hall tomorrow.