BUSINESSES in Chippenham will be digging out the tinsel and fake snow this week ahead for the annual Christmas Shop Window competition.

The competition, run annually by the Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, will be judged by chamber president Chris Bonsor and a representative of the Chippenham Business Improvement District.

The winner of the competition, which last year was Headways Unisex Barbers, will receive £250 and an engraved plate for display in their store.

Mr Bonsor said: “The standard is always really good. There’s a lot of independent shops that put a great effort in and there’s a lot of corporate places which get stuff down from head office which are also of a good standard.

“I think there’s a good bit of friendly rivalry between some of the more established places.”

Judging will take place in the first week of December following this weekends (Nov 28/29) much anticipated Christmas Lights switch on event.

The competition is free for businesses to enter, with any and all shop windows displaying a festive front being automatically entered and judged.

Last year, Oxfam on Bath Road were named the national chain winner for their winter scene and nativity. The charity shop’s wooden figures and tissue paper sheep were created by reception pupils from Ivy Lane Primary School.