The festive season starts in style in Weston-super-Mare tonight (Thursday) as the town’s Christmas lights are illuminated, and the Mercury has a prize worth hundreds of pounds to give away.
Five Gold Rings begins tonight, with the Mercury and Weston Business Improvement District teaming up to give away £2,000 worth of prizes at the late-night shopping events before Christmas.
The first prize to be given away has been provided by Cineworld and Pizza Express at Dolphin Square, with the lucky winner set to win a bumper package.
A voucher worth £250 for the restaurant, plus 12 cinema tickets and £125 in Cineworld credit will be won – meaning the winner can enjoy a few free nights out.
The start of the competition coincides with the illumination of Weston’s Christmas lights in the Italian Gardens, with people certain to flock to the town centre to enjoy the festivities.
The star attraction will be Britain’s Got Talent star Marvin Muoneke, who will take to the stage and show off his smooth sounds from 5pm before pressing the plunger with Weston’s mayor Mike Lyall at 6pm.
Parking will be free in the Sovereign Shopping Centre, with shoppers able to browse the town’s selection of stores before the Five Gold rings winner is picked at 7.30pm.
If you are lucky enough to be drawn from the hat, you have to answer your phone within five rings to claim your prize or a new winner will be selected.
Town centre manager Steve Townsend is eager for the competition to get underway.
He said: “We’re really pleased to be running the competition again and it’s great to open it up to a mix of offerings.
“Dolphin Square is now represented in the competition with Cineworld and Pizza Express, and it is great to have them on board.
“Make sure you come into the town centre every Thursday until Christmas to support your town centre shops and have a chance to win some great prizes.”
Mercury editor Tom Wright encouraged people to take part.
He said: “Who doesn’t like a freebie? This is a great way to start Christmas.
“With more than £2,000 worth of prizes to give away, Five Gold Rings will be the gift which keeps giving this year.”
To enter the competition, find the Mercury stand in the Italian Gardens.
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