THERE will be welcoming bowls of soup made from fresh local vegetables served up with artisan bread when customers visit Helmsley for Small Business Saturday on December 2.

Thomas of Helmsley will be holding a Souper Saturday for visitors to the town, and Yorkshire TV vet Julian Norton will switch on the Christmas lights at 5pm.

The town’s Christmas Tree Festival opens for the first time that day at the All Saints Church opposite the shop.

Thomas will also be giving away mince pies and selling mulled wine and tipsy hot chocolates, with a choice of festive tipples.

Santa will open his grotto and activities, music and competitions will be running across the afternoon in the Market Place.

John Thomas, founder of Thomas of Helmsley, said: “Small Business Saturday is a fantastic idea – it’s great to have an excuse to really champion the small businesses which are the beating hearts of our towns and so integral to our economy.

"It’s great that yet again Helmsley will be marking the day with lots of festive fun, and being based where we are, we’re right in the middle of the action.

"We can’t wait to get in to the Christmas spirit with the Swinton Brass Band, the Christmas Tree Festival and the light switch on. No doubt it will be a chilly night, so we’ll be on hand with soup, hot chocolate and mulled wine to warm people up as they gather.”