COACH parties from as far afield as Lincoln and Aberdeen are expected to head to Durham City next weekend for an early taste of Christmas.

The city's seventh Christmas Festival will see its market and shops open on both Saturday and Sunday along with craft and gift fairs.

There will also be street entertainment from singers, musicians and circus performers in the city centre.

The event has been organised by the Durham City Forum to draw shoppers to the historic city.

The Eurocrafts exhibition in Durham Town Hall will showcase some of the region's best designers and makers, including potters Eddie and Margaret Curtis, who recently returned from a successful exhibition visit to Japan.

Palace Green, in front of Durham Cathedral, will have a huge marquee with more than 100 stalls selling gifts, food and crafts including the work of Hungarian producers.

A temporary ice skating rink and a 25ft mobile climbing wall will be set up next to the Gala Theatre in Millennium Place.

Father Christmas will welcome young shoppers to his grotto in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre.

Colin Wilkes, of the forum, said: "The festival is extremely important for us because it brings in a wide range of people.

"Historically, it has been just about the busiest weekend in the city and there is no reason why it shouldn't be again.''

The festival will take place between 9am and 5pm on the Saturday and 10am and 4.30pm on the Sunday.

A park-and-ride bus service will operate from the County Hall car park.