THERE are some of you, I know, who will already have your Christmas presents bought, wrapped up and labelled. You're probably the ones who raid the sales, so that the whole messy business is sewn up at least 6 months in advance! But for the lesser mortals reading this, I'd recommend a Christmas shopping trip to the new Freeport Shopping Village in Fleetwood. It will transform what can be an absolute nightmare into a memorable Day Out. The Village opened earlier this year on the Lancashire waterfront and is already renowned for its big name retailers offering quality goods at, it is said, prices below those of high street stores.

Designed along a New England theme, the 15-acre site nestles alongside a bustling and colourful yacht marina. Working trawlers sail by and there are magnificent views across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland fells.

Like everything else in Freeport, the diners are run on Transatlantic lines: you'll find the staff friendly and entertaining, occasionaly bursting into a song and dance routine as they dish up hot dogs, burgers, Mexican snacks and other dishes.

The big shiny chromium plate and stainless steel diner was actually shipped in specially from the USA.

Among the leisure attractions is the American Automobile Show, a collection of classic Yankee cars, among them a slinky convertible once owned by Mick Jagger. There's Butterfly World where you can stroll through foliage in jungle-heat with 200 brightly coloured butterflies flying around, and even some young ones hatching out. There are golden carp in the pond, while giant iguanas, Tarantula spiders, lizards and other 'mini-monsters' fascinate the children.

Also for the youngsters there is the Settler's Creek adventure playground, electric-powered go-karts and aqua-bugs.

But it's Freeport's shops which are the prime attraction. All are committed to offering at least a 30pc discount but many offer reductions of up to 70pc off normal retail prices. It's a pleasure to shop there, among the pastel painted, timbered stores linked by attractive covered walkways full of nautical bric-a-brac and surrounded by flower beds, lawns and trees.

Some of Britain's biggest names are here: Moss Bros, Edinburgh Crystal, Lee Jeans, Farah, Ponden Mill, Royal Stafford, Jane Shilton, Warners, Toy World, Equator, Regatta, Honey, Remmington and many more. In October Next will open their biggest store outside London, and Dorothy Perkins will launch their new shop. By next Easter there will be more shops, a pub, restaurant and other attractions.

Soon, the dazzling Christmas illuminations will be switched on, Freeport's own trawler, the Arcona Bay, will be floodlit, and Santa Claus will arrive to welcome boys and girls into his grotto.

There is an all-year-round creche staffed by qualified nursery nurses for two to seven year olds.

There is free parking for over 1,000 cars and 60 coaches. Coach drivers receive a £5 note and a voucher for a meal while they wait for their passengers.

Freeport is open seven days a week, 362 days a year. Opening times are 10am to 6pm but there will be late shopping leading up to Christmas.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.