CHILDREN from the Crediton area have just a matter of days to make or design a new hat for Santa!

Crediton Town Council’s Christmas in Crediton sub-committee, which organises the Christmas trees and lights to decorate the town, has organised it’s annual competition, which this year is to design a new hat for Santa.

Normally children take part in a fancy dress or best mask competition but because of the current restrictions, the competition has been adapted.

Children are invited to draw or paint a design for a new hat for Santa and then put it in the box in your school, or alternatively, at the Town Council Offices at 8A North Street, Crediton.

Alternatively, email your entry to: [email protected] .

Closing date is Saturday, November 14.

There are prizes to be won and the winners will be announced on Saturday, November 28.

The drawings, paintings or photos of the entries will be displayed in a Crediton High Street window.

A video explaining the competition details can be viewed on the Christmas in Crediton Facebook page.

NO PUBLIC SWITCH-ON

No public Switch-On event is planned this year, however there will be the big tree in the Square and cross-street lights as well as lights and, hopefully, trees, on shop and business fronts.

Chairman of the Christmas in Crediton committee, Town Councillor Liz Brookes-Hocking, said: "Sadly, we won’t be able to go ahead in the same way as last year but we have lots of plans, further details of which will be released in the very near future.

"Thanks to everyone coming together each year we have been able to organise fantastic lighting displays and our main Switch-On event is usually attended by thousands of people.

SHOP LOCALLY

"We have co-ordinated the town Christmas lighting for many years to encourage people to shop locally for their Christmas presents each year.

"This is why we normally hold our Switch-On event at the end of November to give people time to visit our valued traders for all their present shopping.

"Last year we put up 130 trees and stars in the High Street and in other areas.

FREE FOR TRADERS

"Normally we have asked our traders for a contribution towards our lighting fund but thankfully, due to savings from paying for the parade and from the due diligence of the committee, and because of the generosity of a few sponsors, I am pleased to say traders taking part in our scheme will not this year be asked to make a contribution.

"We hope that this saving will be a big boost for our traders and help sustain them at this critical time."