THERE was festive music, face painting and a roller skating Christmas pudding at a town-centre business event last weekend.

Small Business Saturday, organised by the Andover Town Centre Partnership (ATCP), saw businesses gather in the High Street for seasonal fun to encourage shoppers to spend their money in local independent retail outlets.

Members of Test Valley Borough Council, Andover Town Council and the Federation for Small Business were out in support of the event as was MP for North West Hampshire, Kit Malthouse, who drew the winning tickets in the prize draw.

Gemma Thompson, town centre manager, said: “Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to shop in local independent retailers.”

Children were treated to free face painting and balloons outside the Guildhall while shoppers enjoyed festive music from local community singing group Sing for Fun.

Shoppers who used a small business could enter the £250 prize draw and were told about the other promotions taking place across town by a roller skating Christmas pudding.

Local businessman Paul Pettifor won the first prize of £250 Dorthe Thomas vouchers while Christine Musselwhite and Wayne Barnes took second and third prize of £100 and £50 of town centre vouchers.

Small business owner, Dorthe Thomas, said “We are delighted that our clients won the prize draw and hope they enjoy using their vouchers in the salon. Thanks to the ATCP for raising awareness of small businesses and encouraging people to shop in town”.