Get ready for a special Christmas market to get you in the festive spirit.

The Epping Town Council-organised Christmas Market on Friday, December 6, will feature 70 stalls and a variety of entertainment.

Stalls along the High Street will be selling Christmas crafts, gifts and food with the market open from noon until 8pm.

The entertainment programme, which starts at 3.15pm following the town mayor’s opening speech, will include local school choirs, adult choirs and local brass bands.

The area will be illuminated by Christmas lighting in the town and a central 25ft Christmas tree on the ‘piazza’, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Epping.

Town mayor councillor Grahame Scruton, will switch on the Christmas tree lights during the event.

Santa will be visiting the fire station from 4pm while other attractions will include reindeer in the Market Garden; Olaf, from 'Frozen', face painting, a town crier and a 'snow globe' for selfies.

A public vote will be held to determine the business with the best Christmas window display, in a competition organised by Everything Epping Forest.

The Christmas Market will run alongside the Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church which starts at 1pm on the Friday and continues on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Epping Town Council has asked high street businesses to support the event and join in the festive season this year by extending their opening hours, giving out free samples, or offering a present wrapping service.

Limited free car parking will be available in the Cottis Lane car park from noon.