SHOPPERS can expect an air of festive cheer around the town centre next month as a programme of Christmas activities are announced to take place in the run up to December 25.

As the big day approaches, the Cornmill Shopping Centre, in Darlington, will host weekly activities and events to encourage families to shop in the town for their gifts this year.

The centre held its first late-night shopping event last night and stayed open until 8pm, an offer which will continue each Thursday until December 20.

Several festivities will begin in the centre, off Priestgate, on Saturday, December 1, with Father Christmas also arriving to welcome the first families into his grotto on the day.

He will be in the shopping centre alongside his elves each weekend until December 23.

Susan Young, centre manager at Cornmill Shopping Centre, said: “Christmas is such a magical time and we love seeing children in the centre get excited when they know Santa is in town.

"For families doing their Christmas shopping we’ve put on a number of activities to keep the kids entertained and destined to get everyone feeling jolly.”

Magical trees will also be taking root in the atrium on December 1, with the enchanted 'living topiary trees' offering bewitching displays at various intervals throughout the day.

Between 11am and 4pm on the same date, children and welcome to join in with face painting sessions and balloon modelling.

Youngsters can be transformed into their favourite festive characters, including Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer or Olaf the snowman. Families are also welcome to take home their balloon creations.

A Christmas decoration workshop will follow on Saturday, December 8, with crafty materials, glitter and paint all on offer to spruce up Christmas trees and cards with sparkle.

The session will run from 11am until 4pm.

Another workshop will run on Saturday, December 15, inviting shoppers to make their own garlands from 11am.

To get Christmas completely wrapped up, an elf making a flying visit from the North Pole will be taking selfies with shoppers throughout the day on December 22.

For more information, visit cornmillcentre.co.uk