BLACKBURN'S The Mall has announced special attractions and late night shopping in the run up to Christmas.

The town centre lights switch-on on Thursday November 20 will mark the start of festive events at the shopping centre.

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They include Santa’s grotto, a Giving Tree, and Santa’s postbox.

The Mall will be open until 8pm every Thursday with additional late night shopping dates on the run up to the big day.

Children will be able to receive a special gift when they meet Santa in his Grotto,which will be welcoming visitors every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 26th until Christmas Eve.

Letters can also be posted to Santa outside his winter wonderland and each child will receive personalised response.

The Mall will also see the return of the ever-popular ‘Giving Tree’ where shoppers can give something back by buying an extra gift and popping it under the tree.

Everything that is collected will be donated to SAMs and distributed to local, vulnerable children and individuals.

Mall general manager Loraine Jones, General Manager said: “Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and The Mall has pulled out all the stops to ensure there is something for everyone.

“We are all really getting into the Christmas spirit and we can’t wait to see the shopping centre full of festive cheer!”

More information about Christmas events can be found at http://www.themall.co.uk/blackburn/