BUSINESSES in Lyme Regis are being encouraged to take part in a festive campaign this Christmas.

Lyme Regis Business Group is hoping to create a strong Christmas season for local businesses with the help of the town-wide 'Yuletide Lyme' campaign.

The campaign kicks off on Saturday (28) when the town's Christmas lights are switched on. Traditional switch-on Saturday events including the lantern competition at the Baptist church and Santa's Grotto will return this year.

A spokesperson fro Lyme Regis Business Group, said: "The idea is to create a great Christmas atmosphere around the town that encourages local residents, second home owners and visitors to think and shop local - creating a very special community atmosphere and generating much-needed revenue for the town during what is traditionally low season.

"Yuletide Lyme has a Facebook page where local businesses can post their festive activities, offers and special events and a twitter feed to promote the initiative.

"It’s hoped that as many businesses as possible will get involved and help make Lyme Regis a must visit destination over the festive period."

This year’s painted windows competition will also get underway on Saturday, with more businesses than ever joining in the festive window trail. This year’s theme is Christmas trees and each participating window has a letter hidden in their painting. Collect all the letters, uncover the hidden phrase and the winner will take away a lovely hamper jam-packed with Lyme Regis goodies.

Yuletide Lyme will also be actively promoting as many festive events as possible, including Small Business Saturday on 5 December – a nationwide campaign backed by American Express and designed to encourage local communities to support their local businesses – and, of course, the hugely popular carols around the Christmas tree, organized on 23 December by Lyme Regis Rotary Club.

Posters are already popping up around town promoting the campaign and organisers hope that local businesses will get in touch by emailing info@lymeregisbusinessgroup.org - or through Facebook at facebook.com/YuletideLyme