WEYMOUTH may be without its town centre Victorian Shownight this year but it hasn’t stopped some hardy folk at the Old Town Hall getting into the spirit.

They’re organising a four-day Christmas arts and gift fair at the historic venue in the town’s old High Street which aims to showcase the talents of local artists as well as provide people with some affordable festive present ideas.

Starting today at noon, the event is launched very much in the spirit of Victorian Shownight with artists dressing in period attire.

Opening night is run in conjunction with Brewers Quay which is hosting its own shownight event featuring a Christmas food market, traditional steam organ, tastings, entertainment and Santa in his grotto.

A group of individuals known as the Guardians of the Old Town Hall took on the lease for the building earlier this year from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council with the aim of turning it into an arts and culture venue.

The fair is their latest idea to make use of the building by running a community event.

The hall has been used as a jail and was the site of the old town stocks as well as a bloody battle in the English Civil War.

This week the inside of the hall has been decorated by children from the carnival club.

Guardian Martin Hedley said: “It’s another wonderful use of the building and follows on from our very successful open day.”

Mr Hedley said 13 local artists will be exhibiting and selling their work including painters Cathy Taylor, Phil Tebbutt, Liz Wright and Darren Avis, ceramic artist Pat March, jewellery maker Tessa Spiller, and stone artist Phil Anslow who makes reproduction fossils.

There will be art demonstrations on Friday and Saturday and tomorrow evening local musician Thomas Hughes and two friends take over the hall for a night of music and film.

The fair is open from noon to 9pm today, noon to midnight tomorrow (incorporating Thomas Hughes Triops in the evening which has an entrance fee) and from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Entrance to the fair is free and refreshments will be available.