THE Mall is extending its opening times and Santa workshop hours in preparation for the last full week before Christmas.

Following last year’s success of the workshop, its opening times will be extended until 7pm on Wednesday to Saturday and 4pm on Sunday and Christmas Eve.

Blackburn’s main shopping centre from 9am until 8pm from Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sunday and 9am to 4.30pm on Christmas Eve.

Christmas wrapping will also be available until Christmas Eve, with several charitable organisations providing the service to raise funds.

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: "The festive season is now in full swing and we have been very busy here in The Mall.

"Our Santa’s Workshop experience was a massive hit last year and we worked hard to ensure that we built on this success to become the must visit Santa destination in the area.

"Our late night shopping is always really popular too and offering it across several days means that people can shop at a time that is convenient to them.

“I would like wish all our shoppers, a peaceful Christmas."