SHOPPERS are being encouraged to snap up the Christmas bargains at Skipton Market with the start of a gift voucher scheme.

Skipton Town Council, which took over running of the market this year, has also announced some extra market days before Christmas – and has taken to bus adverts and social media to reach as many people as possible.

The gift vouchers can be used as full or part payment for goods and produce at the vast majority of stalls on the market and are available in £5 and £10 denominations from the council offices above Barclays Bank on the High Street.

The scheme will be rolled out further in the New Year and several hundred pounds worth of vouchers are also being given away as prizes on the Skipton Market Facebook page. “These new initiatives are part of a longer term plan to develop, improve and promote the market which is such an important part of Skipton’s viability and, without a shadow of a doubt, attracts thousands of visitors to the town each year, many of whom would not come otherwise,” said Dave Parker, chief officer of Skipton Town Council.

The two additional market days will be on Sunday, December 21, and Tuesday, December 23.