PREPARATIONS are already well under way for Worcester's ninth Christmas Fayre.

Up to 100,000 visitors are expected to converge on the four-day extravaganza, the highlight of the city's entertainment programme.

More than 100 stalls will be packed with seasonal goodies throughout the Victorian-themed event.

Many new features will be on show, including a Christmas carriage of ghosts and phantoms and a Victorian Santa Claus.

Old favourites such as stilt-walking clown Mr Doo and juggling Victorian gentleman Professor Optical will also be making an appearance.

An entertainment area in the Marks & Spencer loading bay in New Street will again be included after last year's roaring success.

The festivities are due to open on Thursday, November 29, and run until Sunday, December 2.

Last year's festival attracted more than 90,000 visitors with 250 coaches converging on Worcester from all over the country.

Many visitors also came from Worcester's twin towns - Le Vesinet in France and Kleve in Germany - to soak up the atmosphere.

The event will be officially opened at one of Worcester's oldest pubs, The Swan with Two Nicks, in New Street.

The pub has a special relationship with the Christmas Fayre. It has hosted the opening ceremony every year since it began.

It will be decorated in true Victorian style with staff wearing traditional costume and mulled wine and a buffet will be available for guests to enjoy.

"The fayre is a very important part of the city's annual calendar of events and is getting bigger and better every year," said Clare Booker, assistant tourism and marketing manager, who has organised the event for the past five years.

"It promotes all the good things about Worcester - the historic town, the shopping facilities and the close relationship we have with our twin towns abroad."