PLANS for a festive fun day in Helmsley are underway to coincide with Small Business Saturday.

The event Held on Saturday, December 6, will include street performers, games and rides, an ice rink, treasure hunt and competitions.

Ryedale District Council is showing its support for the day with the provision of event space and discounted parking.

In the Market Place car park, a large area will be reserved for activities and to allow for a ring, which will be home to some of the day’s entertainment.

There will also be a choir performance and visit from the Ryedale Lions’ Santa.

Also taking place from December 6 will be Helmsley’s third annual Christmas Tree Festival, held at All Saint’s Church. This will run daily, 10am to 4pm, until December 21 and this year will see its 30 trees decorated along the theme of ‘An Iconic Christmas’.

Those who want to extend the Festive Fun Day celebrations will also have the opportunity to go to the opening performances of Cinderella taking place at Helmsley Arts Centre with the first performance at 2.30pm, and the second at 7.30pm.

Emma Woods, Treasurer at Helmsley in Business (HiB), said: “We are delighted with how plans are coming together – last year we ran our very first Festive Fun Day, which was a huge success, and this year will be much bigger and, dare we say it, better.

"Small Business Saturday is a national event but we feel it really stands for everything Helmsley is about.

Emma added: "We have so many wonderful and unique independent businesses here, and we want to make sure everyone knows about them. The Festive Fun Day is a great way to encourage people to come along and perhaps pop into shops they may not otherwise have planned to, or to interact with business owners in the town.

"With the ice rink, and rides, and entertainment, and competitions and activities galore, there really will be something for everyone."

For more information go to www.visithelmsley.co.uk