TWO of literature's enduring characters will formally open a Christmas gift and food festival.

The event at Ripon Cathedral will take place on Saturday, November 23, when the special guests will be Alice and the White Rabbit, from the book Alice in Wonderland.

Organised by, and in aid of, the Ripon Cathedral Development Campaign and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the festival is open between 10am and 4pm.

The event has been designed as a family Christmas shopping day with more than 40 stalls offering seasonal delights including decorations, dolls' houses, traditional cheeses, and gift-wrapped chocolates.

At noon, the girl choristers from the cathedral choir will perform carols around the Christmas tree.

Admission will be £2 for adults and free for children.