THOUSANDS of people are expected to attend this year’s Wyke Christmas Street Fayre in Weymouth.

The festive event, which was launched last December following a ‘chat in a pub’ attracted more than 2,000 people and the organiser hopes this year will be ‘bigger and even better’.

Kate Wheller, of High Street, Wyke Regis, said last year’s inaugural fair meant businesses were able to extend their trading opportunities and charities were given an extra venue for fundraising.

She said: “We had a good mix of both.

“We asked everyone to decorate their stalls and dress up and nearly everyone did.

“We had local schools singing, All Saints Choir, organist and bell ringers entertained us, as did the choir from Wyke Regis Junior School. We will have even more singers this year.

“The school also took part in a Christmas card competition and we had a contest for the best decorated house.”

Other highlights of the event included mulled wine and mince pies, plus photos with Father Christmas, who judged the children’s fancy dress competition.

Mrs Wheller added: “Getting support from local businesses is very difficult and Weymouth Community Volunteers have done a great job over the past few years with diminishing support.

“They stepped in and took over the Shownight at very short notice when no one else wanted to, and did the same again with the carnival, but it's not their core strength and they do need support. I started contacting our stall holders in January and badgered them every month but it has paid off – we have lots of exciting stalls booked.

“I was amazed by the success of last year's event which was organised in just three months after a casual chat in the pub.”

This year’s fair will be held on Sunday, December 6, with streets will be closed from 12 noon.

Mrs Wheller urged everyone ‘to dream of a Wyke Christmas and enjoy a great day out’.