CHRISTMAS shoppers in Ryedale can shop 'til they drop when dozens of shops take part in a late-night opening.

On Wednesday a number of businesses in Malton will be open until 8pm to give festive shoppers more chance to snap up gifts.

Father Christmas and his sleigh, organised by Malton Lions, will attend the switch-on of the Norton Christmas lights at 6pm. There will be children's rides in the car park of the Derwent Arms, Norton, and a jazz band, a face painter and travelling bell ringers will stroll about Malton and Norton.

Norton College Choir will perform outside the Royal Mail sorting office in Wheelgate, Malton.

Visitors to World Wide Shopping Mall, The Lanes, Chancery Lane, Malton, will be able to enjoy a free glass of mulled wine or a hot toddy at the Palace Theatre Caf.

At the Palace Cinema next door film-goers who attend the 6pm showing of Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, and Ladies In Lavender, at 8.10pm, will be able to sip a free glass of mulled wine.

At both venues people will be asked to give a voluntary donation to Macmillan Cancer Relief for their tipple. Both are subject to availability.

Businesses opening until late include: Specsavers, Boarding Edge, Wallis Business Supplies, Halls Bags, Urban Spirit, Currys, Ethel Austin, Jennifers, Boots, Malton News, Woollons and Harwood, Woolworths, Topiary Tree, Hoppers, Horsley Florists, Scoops, The Card Shop, Herb Garden Chinese Medical Centre, Fab!, Wise Bros, Kingfisher Caf, Sandra's Bridlewear, Thornton's, Paul Beanland estate agents, Parnabys, Stitches, The Coffee Pot, The Hidden Monkey Caf, El Gringo, Florio's and Yorkshire Tearooms.

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, December 07, 2004