TRADERS in Barnards Green in Malvern are once again getting ready to hold their annual Christmas extravaganza.

The date for your diary is Saturday, December 3, when the delights planned include a free children’s magic and puppet show and a double-decker play bus with ball pool, slides and ropes.

The fun runs from 10.30am to 2.30pm and of course Father Christmas will be in his grotto, where every child who visits him will receive a special mini gift.

There will be a selection of vintage vehicles on display, plus a competition to guess the number of balloons in a limousine.

And to add to the magical Christmas atmosphere, a Minion and Marshall from Paw Patrol will be taking a stroll around the Green.

Children can make a paper Christmas star to take home with them and will also be able to hear a Christmas story and get their face painted in festive style. There will be lots of seasonal music to listen to and goodies to eat.

This year the Barnards Green Traders are raising funds for Community Action Malvern Hills, especially its home-based befriending scheme for elderly Malvern residents, called Helping Hands.

The scheme involves volunteers visiting clients in their own homes for a few hours to do domestic tasks such as shopping, light housework, gardening and help with phone calls and letters. The idea is that the volunteers and clients build up a rapport to alleviate loneliness.

In the past seven years, the traders have raised more than £12,500 for local charities with their Christmas events..

Jane Knowles, who chairs the traders association, said: “It is our chance to say thank you and give something back to all the people that shop locally and support us throughout the year.

“It is great to share the date with Small Business Saturday as it is a chance to show how local independent businesses are the life blood of their community centres and to have a lot of fun at the same time.

"Our thanks go to Malvern Hills District Council and Malvern Town Council for supporting the event."