TRADERS in one of Malvern’s busiest shopping areas are preparing to throw a proper Christmas celebration to say thank you to their customers.

Barnards Green Traders Association is putting the finishing touches to preparations for this year’s Christmas Extravaganza, taking place on Saturday, December 8.

Attractions include professional puppet shows at 11am, noon and 1.30pm while children will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto at TP Travel.

A new attraction for the event is a Pets in Pictures competition, where visitors are encouraged to dress their dogs up in outfits and have their picture taken by a professional photographer.

Masefield Vets is donating prizes and all entrants will have their pictures displayed on digital photo frames in shop windows and receive their own copy.

There will be a host of stalls and entertainment, including music from Random Numbers, Great Malvern Primary School Choir and the Chase Choir.

Jane Knowles, one of the organisers and owner of local business Just So, said: “The extravaganza is designed to say thank you to the local community for supporting the Barnards Green Traders throughout the year and helping to make it such a vibrant trading community.”

Proceeds from the event will support local charities Malvern Special Families and Community Action.