TODAY sees the start of Worcester's annual Victorian Christmas Fayre, with more than 100,000 people expected to throng the city's streets over the coming four days.

This is an important event for Worcester, not just in the run-up to Christmas, but for tourism during the rest of the year as well.

Shoppers will travel from as far afield as Manchester and Taunton to enjoy the delights of picturesque Friar Street or New Street, full of street performers and interesting craft stalls.

It is heartening to see that different groups and organisations have worked together to ensure visitors can make the most of their trip to the Faithful City.

Entry to the Commandery museum, in Sidbury, is free all weekend, Royal Worcester is holding a free daily prize draw, a weekend craft fair is being held in the Cathedral and a Christmas bazaar is running in the Guildhall on Saturday.

Hopefully, once our Christmas visitors have had a taste of what the city has to offer, they will come back for more at other times of the year.

It is hoped that both visitors and residents will take advantage of the extensive park-and-ride arrangements that have been put in place by the city council.

Nothing would ruin a seasonal shopping expedition more than to be stuck for hours in a queue of traffic, just a few hundred yards away from your destination.

So, leave the car at home, or at a park-and-ride site, and head into Worcester for a seasonal treat that is sure to bring a smile to your heart.