FARNHAM’S Christmas Market will fill the town centre with festive cheer this Sunday, December 10 - with more than 200 stalls set to occupy The Borough, Castle Street, The Bush Hotel and Central car park.

Castle Street and, for the first time, The Borough between the junctions with Downing Street and South Street will close to traffic for the festive occasion, which takes place from 10am to 4pm.

Stallholders will be selling unusual and handmade items such as jewellery, crafts, trinkets and artisan food and drink gifts, making it the ideal place to find Christmas presents.

The market also promises to be a magical experience for children who can post their letters to Father Christmas in the North Pole postbox, visit Santa in his grotto and even pet the stable animals in the live nativity.

To add to the atmosphere there will be musical performances throughout the day from carol singers, brass bands and local singer-songwriters, while refreshments, including hot food and drinks, will also be available throughout.

A free park-and-ride service will whisk shoppers between Farnham College in Morley Road and the market, with additional taxi ranks also planned in West Street and Bear Lane.

Jill Hargreaves, Farnham Town Council’s lead member for tourism and events said: “The Christmas market is the ideal place to find gorgeous individual gifts and foodie treats. There will be a great festive atmosphere, which will really get you into the Christmas spirit!

“With so many stallholders taking part and just two weeks to go before Christmas Day, we expect Farnham to be very busy so do take advantage of our free park and ride service available from Farnham Sixth Form College, Morley Road.”

As the December farmers’ market coincides with the Christmas Market, shoppers are encouraged to make sure they have enough time to make the most of both. The farmers’ market is from 10am until the later than usual time of 3.30pm at Central car park.

Principal sponsor Farnham Specsavers is joined by Kidd Rapinet Solicitors, BBS Limited and The Wheatsheaf in sponsoring the Christmas market.

As well as allowing for the expansion of the popular market, Farnham Town Council has opted to close The Borough for safety reasons, to prevent shoppers having to negotiate three lanes of traffic when crossing from Castle Street to The Bush and Central car park.

However, with The Borough closed, there will be no through traffic in the centre of town so visitors and residents are advised to plan their journey so as to minimise any inconvenience.