CHRISTMAS shopping in Upton this year carries a £500 bonus for one lucky and loyal shopper.

To encourage more trade during the Yuletide season, retailers have come up with a festive loyalty scheme to boost sales.

Raffle tickets will be handed out to shoppers for every £10 they spend in one of 50 shops taking part in the scheme.

The retailers have clubbed together with 30 other businesses in the town to provide a £500 cash prize for the winner.

The scheme was suggested by Lynne Van Wyngaarden, who owns Old Street Antiques. She said the idea came from her Dutch husband, as they have similar schemes running in Holland.

"Trade was quiet at Christmas last year, so I put the idea to the traders and it's taken off," she said.

"Upton's a lovely old town but there's so much competition out there now that we've got to fight back."

Butcher Richard Myers, of R&L Myers, said he hoped it would boost trade.

And John Baker, of the Map Shop, said he was hopefull it would help Christmas trade.

The winning ticket will be drawn at on Friday, December 22 at the Pepperpot Churchyard, following a candlelit procession through town.