SHOPPERS enjoyed fruit punch and mince pies at a festive event in York's Coppergate Shopping Centre.

The complex launched its Christmas Carol competition in which people have the chance to win £1,000 by finding the verse and title of a seasonal hymn in a shop window.

Russells Restaurant staff dressed as Disney characters for the event while The Casablanca Steps led a singalong.

Centre manager Diana Dickson said: "It was a fabulous atmosphere - everyone was singing along. A lot of people got stuck into the mince pies."

Updated: 12:15 Monday, December 02, 2002