MARKET Place, Bolton has announced its Christmas opening times and festive treats for shoppers.

Shops will open until 8pm every Thursday from November 22 until Christmas and 7pm every other shopping day from Tuesday, December 18 until Saturday, December 22.

There will be free creative activities at the Little Rascals Kids’ club, every weekend from November until Christmas. Children can decorate a chocolate Santa on November 24 and 25.

They can create their own unique Glassy Gardens mini Christmas tree — complete with hand decorated pot on December 1 and 2. They can enjoy some Mary Poppins themed fun and storytelling, on December 8 and 9. They can learn how to be one of Santa’s little helpers at the centre’s Elf School on December 15 and 16. They can take a virtual reality sleigh ride on December 22 and 23.

Children aged three to eight can also enjoy the chance to eat breakfast or tea with Santa on selected dates in December. Tickets are just £6 and include breakfast or tea, a gift from Santa and entertainment from a magician. Santa will be taking breakfast in Costa from 9.30-10.30am on Sundays December 16 and 23 and tea at Debenhams from 5-6pm on Thursdays December 13 and 20. Tickets are available from the Centre Management Suite on the third floor of the centre.

Gift-wrapping is on offer by volunteers from Fortalice, in exchange for a donation, from November 24 until Christmas.

Nikki Wilson-Cook, centre manager, Market Place said: “We hope to make the festive season just that bit easier and more enjoyable.”