SHOPPING streets are set to burst into life at the Easton Christmas Promise on Portland on Friday, December 14.

The second annual late night shopping extravaganza and festival will begin at 5.30pm centred around Easton Gardens.

It is being organised by the Easton Business Group, supported by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and the Island Volunteers for You.

The event will include a Secret Santa Competition, food, drinks, fire spinning displays, tombola, carols, music, Santa's Sleigh, supplied by Portland Rotary and various competitions.

There will be stalls in the Community 2000 Centre and the Jubilee Hall.

Some 30 businesses will stay open late, until about 8.30pm, and will provide festive cheer and special deals.

Entry forms for the Secret Santa competition will be available from Real Directions.

Completed forms need to be returned to Real Directions by 7pm and the winner will be announced later in the evening.

The Island Volunteers for You grand raffle will include prizes of £1,000, £400 and £100.

It will be drawn at 8.30pm in the New Inn.

SureLine and Portland Spa have sponsored the Easton Gardens Christmas Tree, a 25ft Norway spruce, for the event and festive period.

Portland Spa Conference and Banqueting Centre Andrew Coupe and Sureline owner David Beaman said: "Once again we are delighted to have the opportunity to support the local community during the festive season and sponsor the Easton Gardens Christmas Tree.

"We are delighted to work together on this project and also allow the tree to be a fitting centre-piece for the big Easton Promise event"