Chasing the last-minute gifts

Tommyfield Market Hall at Christmas with the Oldham Brass Band.

THE tills were ringing in Oldham town centre this weekend as shoppers bustled for last minute Christmas gifts.

The car parks were crammed as visitors benefited from free car parking for up to three hours over one of the busiest retail weekends of the year.

Families stuffed the high street, shopping centres and Tommy field Market, who rounded off a resounding success of free Christmas events.

Youngsters enjoyed face painting, balloon modelling and crafts in the market.

One impressed mum, Paula Esbach, from Oldham, believes Oldham Council have brought a lot of Christmas cheer this year.

She said: “I am going to write a letter with all the free parking and events the council have put on. Loads of free events have been put on from the Bonfire Night event, Victorian Weekend, Winter Wonderland and the free parking, which encourages people to come and shop here and not go to the Trafford Centre.”

Tommyfield Market officer, Ian Campbell, added: “This year we have done a lot more and it’s gone very well. The market has held its own in a tough year.”