SHOPPERS may be able to browse around extra stalls if new suggestions succeed for the Caster-bridge Christmas Cracker in Dorchester.

Organisers from the town's chamber of commerce are urging shop staff to don fancy dress and decorate windows to make the ninth annual extravaganza the best so far.

But members also proposed extra ways of boosting this year's late night shopping spree on December 4 - with a farmers' market and stallholders from the Wednesday market.

Peter Lawson, from Wood in High East Street, said: "A Christmas market on Cracker night would make the town a whole lot more attractive."

Derrick Buswell, chamber chief executive, added: "Stalls could have Christmas decorations and a theme."

Councillor and restaurateur Tom Parsley suggested a farmers' market similar to popular attractions run in the Corn Exchange and at Poundbury.

The suggestions came as members heard of plans for the festive event from organiser Ian Marchant.

Urging

Mr Marchant is to send letters to town shops urging them to join in but also urged staff to don fancy dress to liven up the event.

The chamber hopes the Cracker will launch late night shopping on Thursdays in the lead up to Christmas.

President John Manley said the chamber would write to such chain stores as Marks and Spencer to open for the evenings.

Thousands of revellers and shoppers have poured into Dorchester for Casterbridge Christmas Cracker over the past eight years.

It was originally hailed as a throwback to the town's Victorian days and staff were encouraged to dress in period costume but that tradition has faded in the past few years.

Now Mr Marchant wants to revive the fancy dress aspect of the event.

He has told town centre businesses in a letter that 'we seem to have lost the will to dress for the festive event'.

He added: "Why not encourage all your staff to join in the fun and dress up for the occasion and take part in the spirit of the evening."

Call Mr Marchant on 01305 263053 to offer help and to book stalls for the event.