SCORES of Otley shops will open late this week as part of the town's pre-Christmas celebrations.

More than 80 will keep trading until 7pm on Thursday, December 7 to help residents get some after-work Christmas shopping in.

A variety of entertainment, including Christmas carols from the Sally's Army choir, a Santa's grotto, face painting and balloon modelling has also been lined up.

Most of the attractions will take place around Orchard Gate but there will also be dancing from the Buttercross Belles on Newmarket and on Bay Horse Court/Westgate.

There will also be performances from:

*Otley Parish Church Choir, between 5pm and 7pm, outside Skipton Building Society

*The Sally Egan Choir who will perform at 6pm in Bloomfield Square, at 6.25pm in Kirkgate Arcade and then at 6.45pm at A Casa di Alessia, on Orchard Gate

*A hand bell orchestra who will also be ringing outside at A Casa di Alessia between 5pm and 6.45pm.

Otley Chamber of Trade Vice President Keeley Kear, who has co-ordinated the evening, said: "A late night shopping evening is a great chance for people who work away from Otley and usually return only after normal trading hours, to find the shops shut, to rediscover the charm of Otley’s atmospheric town centre.

"It’s an ideal opportunity for some family festive fun and a little Christmas shopping as more than 80 retailers have agreed to stay open until 7pm - with another 30 or so pubs and restaurants to warm up in afterwards.

"The town’s Christmas illuminations will be twinkling and the event coincides with Otley Christmas Tree Festival, which is open until 6pm at Otley Parish Church - and later if visitors are still arriving."