A FREE prize draw with prizes including bicycles and an iPad is launching in Darlington’s Indoor Market on Thursday (December 4).

Shoppers can collect a free ticket from one of the stalls in the Market Hall which are then placed in weekly draws taking place at 3pm every Thursday before Christmas.

All tickets from each draw are then put back into the hat for the grand draw on December 20 to win the main prize of a 50in TV.

The first of the three draws takes place this Thursday and each coincides with the weekly Christingle Market in the town centre.

Other festive events in the town include Santa in his grotto at the Cornmill and Queen Street shopping centres at weekends and in the Market Hall each Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

This Saturday will also see the opening of the ice rink in the Market Square as well as festive stalls and food.

There will be a free cookery demonstration in the Market Hall every hour from 11am to 4pm and festive bands and music will play in and around the market.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “There is so much going on in Darlington during the run-up to Christmas and most of it is free.

“Festive music, carols, the ice rink, Christingle Markets, cookery demos and of course Santa, Christmas has well and truly arrived in Darlington.

“With the unique range of specialist shops, national retailers and indoor shopping areas as well as the markets, where better to go for Christmas shopping and festive fun.”