THE run-up to Christmas can be a stressful time -- especially for women as shoppers-in-chief.

So, why not treat yourself to a pleasant day out, with the BEN?

As part of our comprehensive programme of reader holidays and days out, we have a couple of imminent visits with convenient coach travel from Bolton town.

We are off to St Nicholas Fair at York on Sunday, November 25, to enjoy this lovely historic city on a great day out, for £10.

On Tuesday, December 4, the Blakemere Craft Centre is our destination for more gift-buying in pleasant surroundings. Cost is £8.

Lincoln's Christmas Market is the venue for the Saturday, December 8 trip, at £11. And the following day, you can travel back in time at Skipton's Yuletide Medieval Market, with its traders in period costume and historic enactment, at £9.

On December 13, enjoy an early Christmas meal at Bridgemere Garden World as part of an enjoyable trip there, for £19.50.

And on Saturday, December 15, get in the real festive spirit on our Dickensian Festive Flavour trip to Grassington village. Cost is £23 including a stop in Skipton and early evening dinner at the Falcon Manor Hotel.

To find out more about these trips either ring 01204-361229 or call in at the BEN's Churchgate office for details.