REAL reindeer will help make Christmas in Bolton bigger and better than ever before. Bolton Town Centre Partnership has announced initiatives to attract shoppers from surrounding towns.

One festive highlight will be sleigh rides pulled by reindeer visiting Bolton from the Cairngorms!

Shops will have extended opening hours and there will be cheaper car parking.

Town Centre Manager, Maria Appleton, told yesterday's trader's committee meeting that everything would be done to draw shoppers to Bolton.

Council-owned car parks will charge a £1 flat fee after 12.30pm on Sundays.

And the owners of other car parks would also be asked to slash prices. On street car parking charges would remain.

Town centre trading hours over Christmas have also been announced with Sunday shoppings from November 3.

The sleigh rides, which youngsters can win in prize draws, are expected to take place on November 3 to boost Sunday shopping.

Late night shopping will be on Thursdays and there are plans for late night opening on Friday, December 20 and Monday, December 23.

On November 21, the Christmas lights will be switched on at Victoria Square following a town centre paradee.

Last year over 14,000 people joined in the fun and partnership chairman Mr Arnold Wilcox-Wood, the regional manager of Crompton Place, said: "It's one of the biggest events in the area. The last time we had that number of people in the town hall square was on VE night and we're hoping to top that this year!"

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