WITH everything ‘yule’ need this Christmas on your doorstep, there’s no better place to be than Oldham at the most wonderful time of year.

That is the message from Oldham Council this festive season as it launched its ‘Christmas in Oldham’ campaign which aims to highlight all of the fantastic things the borough has to offer during the upcoming festivities.

With a number of free high-quality events lined-up in the coming weeks, which started with Santa’s Reindeer Parade on Saturday.

The authority is promoting the array of retailers, independent businesses and market traders within a close proximity to the town centre.

It's also encouraging Oldhamers to take advantage of the borough’s delicious restaurants and amusing attractions.

With the added bonus of three hours free parking on all council-owned car parks in Oldham town centre at the weekend, you can make a real day of it with family and friends.

Deputy chief executive Helen Lockwood said: “Oldham truly is a great destination to visit at Christmas because it has so much to offer to residents.

“With a number of high-end retail shops in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, great start-up businesses, such as Zuttis in our Independent Quarter, and Tommyfield Market – which sells everything from locally sourced meats at Ashworths Butchers to seasonal vegetables at Taylors Produce – there’s no need to panic over your Christmas shopping.

“With amazing restaurants, entertaining attractions and free high-quality events too, including our annual Reindeer Parade this Saturday, there are a range of added extras to enjoy before or after your shopping, and this all comes with our excellent free parking perks at the weekend.

“So make sure you take a trip into Oldham this Christmas and enjoy everything it has to offer.

“Don’t forget to visit your local district either, with an endless list of wonderful activities taking place over the holidays from Failsworth to Saddleworth. We’ve covered a fraction of these in our latest Family Life magazine, so I would urge you all to download the latest copy via our website and find out what’s going on in your area.”