TRADERS at Witney market are gearing up for the pre-Christmas rush by expanding their businesses.

Flower seller Andrew Harbon's family has been trading at the town centre market for more than 30 years.

He has taken on an additional pitch at the High Street market, which is managed by West Oxfordshire District Council, to double his trading space over the next few weeks.

Mr Harbon said: “We see more people at Christmas and we have many regular customers who come to us every year.

“Holly wreaths are our big seller and we need all the extra space to display them.”

Carol Reynolds, who sells cards and gift wrap, is also expanding her business and has a new market stall selling toys.

She said: “We have all sorts of gifts and toys for children of all ages, such as Advent calendars, Pokemon dolls, Polly Pocket games, novelty pens and beautiful wooden toys.

“We also have some soft cuddly toys, including penguins, which I think will be very popular this year because of the John Lewis TV advert.”

David Harvey, the district council’s cabinet member responsible for markets said: “Witney town centre is thriving and it’s especially busy in the lead-up to Christmas.

“On market days, there’s an additional bustle of colour and activity and, along with free parking, they are a real draw, bringing shoppers into the town from a wide area.”

Witney Market is normally held on Thursdays and Saturdays, but because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Thursday this year, markets will be held on Tuesdays and Saturdays over the Christmas and New Year period, with the stalls set up on Tuesday, December 23, Saturday, December 27, Tuesday, December 30, and Saturday, January 3.

The council also runs Chipping Norton Market, which will be held as normal in the town centre on the Wednesdays of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.