A host of prizes, including tickets to the panto, can be won in a special Christmas treasure trail in Stafford.

Around 30 town centre shops and businesses are taking part in the competition for people to hunt for roses - to coincide with this year’s Stafford Gatehouse Theatre panto, Beauty and the Beast.

Children and families will be asked to find the numbered roses in and around the town centre - and, if they locate them all, will be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.

The fun initiative gets underway this week to coincide with the Christmas Lights being switched on in town on Saturday (18th) and will run until Sunday 10 December. It is a collaboration between Stafford Borough Council, the Gatehouse Theatre, Indoor Market and Town Centre Partnership and is one of several Christmas themed events taking place.

People can pick up entry forms from the Gatehouse Theatre, Indoor Market, and Albert’s Café in Victoria Park as well as some local shops and eating out places.

Prizes will be drawn from Monday 11 December and includes tickets for the panto as well as restaurant and shop vouchers.

Along with the traditional lights switch on in the Market Square on Saturday (18 November), other town events include a Festive Farmers Market, Christmas in Victoria Park with Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Through the Ages at the Ancient High House, the famous Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church and Stafford Walking Street.

Councillor Gillian Pardesi, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said there were plenty of reasons for shoppers and visitors to come into the county town at this time of the year.

She said: “I am really pleased so many of our town centre businesses have supported this treasure trail with some great prizes on offer and great fun for those taking part.

“And with all the events taking place in the town, it’s another reason for more people to come into Stafford to shop, eat and enjoy the run up to Christmas.”

Some dates for town centre events:

Saturday 18 November

Stafford’s Big Christmas Switch on Show

Saturday 25 November

Christmas Market

Wednesday 6 to Tuesday 12 December

Christmas Tree Festival - St Mary’s Church

Friday 8 - Sunday 31 December

Beauty and the Beast Panto - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Saturday 9 December

Festive Farmers’ Market

Thursday 14 December

Stafford Walking Street

Saturday and Sunday 2 - 23 December

Christmas in Victoria Park

Press Release No 6086