With little over a week to go, the region's supermarkets and major retail centres will be packed with shoppers until Christmas Day. Catherine Jewitt visited Spennymoor to see how easy it is to buy all the festive essentials in the town centre.

I arrive at Spennymoor in my car and two minutes later I'm shopping. There was no sitting in traffic jams getting stressed out, wasting fuel, driving for miles in bad weather and on arrival- plenty of free parking.

My mission was simple - to prove that it is possible to buy all your festive supplies from your local high street and support local traders.

At the heart of the festivities is Christmas lunch, so a turkey and all the trimmings were top of my shopping list.

Butcher Neil Hocking sources all of his meat locally.

He said: "Our turkeys come from a farm in Sedgefield, so my customers not only support this business but local suppliers.

"I can tell them where our meat comes from, advise them about cuts and cooking and ingredients that go into products."

Peter and Vicky Storey's greengrocer's shop stocks all the vegetables needed for a traditional Christmas lunch, along with fruit, nuts and holly wreaths.

Mrs Storey said: "We buy produce as we need it, so it is really fresh."

Mr Storey added: "A supermarket might appear convenient, but customers in our shop don't have to face crowds of people pushing trolleys or queue at the till for ages."

Independent traders and a few well known chain stores, such as Woolworths, can provide many gift solutions such as games, music and books.

John Welsh, who runs an independent jewellers in High Street, said: "People expect big stores to be cheaper, but I will bend over backwards to help a customer get exactly what they want and at competitive prices.

"People get a personal service, good advice from someone with 26 years experience and I'll be here long-term to deal with future requests, repairs and alterations."

There are also off-licences, bakeries and a fancy dress shop to see you through the party season.

Finally, Occasions From The Heart gift and greetings shop, in Festival Walk, can provide cards, wrapping paper, handmade chocolates, calendars and small gifts to complete my shopping trip.

Last month, The Northern Echo launched a campaign called Shopping for a Future, to support Spennymoor traders trying to survive against tough competition from out-of-town retail complexes and supermarkets.

I hope I have proven that the basics, and many gifts, can be bought on the doorstep, in a stress-free environment and on budget.