RETAILERS in Malton have created a shopping trail that rewards Christmas shoppers in the market town.

Local businesses have come together to create Maltonopoly, a Monopoly-board-style map of shops which will open on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas.

Shoppers spending £20 in five of the shops will be entered into a prize draw for a hamper worth £1,000 including prizes from all participating businesses, such as a meal for two with wine at the New Malton or bed and breakfast at the Talbot Hotel, as well as goods from the shops.

Rob Wormall of the Talbot Hotel came up with the idea for Maltonopoly.

He said: “There is a diverse and growing range of businesses in Malton. We don’t want to keep this to ourselves; we want to encourage more shoppers to come and discover all these retail opportunities for themselves.

"The idea of Maltonopoly is that you can do your Christmas shopping in Malton on any of the Sundays in December to take part. This doesn’t all have to happen on one Sunday.

"When you make purchases in any five of the participating stores, you simply submit your receipts as proof when entering the draw.”

Sophie Legard of Malton Relish and Malton Events Group is organising the game. She said: “The overall aim of the game is to spend £20 in any of the shops who are part of the scheme. When you have spent £20 in five or more shops you can be entered into the prize draw. One lucky person will win everything, the value of which will be approx £1,000.”

Maltonopoly cards will be available from any of the participating shops. Cards and proof of purchases made only on Sundays in December can then be submitted to Rob at the Talbot Hotel or Sophie at Malton Relish.