The countdown to Christmas has begun but the traditional scenes in our town centres will be very different this year.

Despite that, some festive shopping experiences are set to sparkle as always, including Grantham's Christmas markets, in the Market Place (5 Dec) and at Wyndham Park (6 Dec).

The town's Christmas Tree is already in place, and market shoppers are set to browse all day and then under the twinkling Christmas lights at dusk, supporting the town's regular businesses too.

Cllr Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, SKDC's Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, said: "Not surprisingly there won't be an official switch-on to avoid large crowds gathering during the continuing Coronavirus pandemic.

"It might be different but it's still time to share the goodwill of the festive season so we are hosting these Christmas markets over two days in Grantham.

"Stallholders will be selling festive treats and gifts, so why not visit either the Market place on Saturday December 5 from 8.30am or take a stroll around Wyndham Park from 10.30am on Sunday 6 to smell the mulled wine and see what you can buy?"

Stalls will be centred around the Market Place for Saturday's socially-distanced event, which will be Covid-safe and marshalled by SKDC's regular markets staff.

Wyndham Park Visitor Centre and Café will be open as normal during the weekend.