A CAR park in a Suffolk market town is set to be transformed into a winter wonderland at the end of the month.

To coincide with late night shopping on Friday, November 30, Framlingham Castle and the neighbouring Castle Inn are joining together to put on a Christmas fair, complete with ice skating rink and Santa’s grotto.

The castle car park will host the free festive event from noon until 10pm and there will still be with plenty of car parking space available for visitors.

Alan Knight, from the Castle Inn, said: “We’re planning to hold a substantial Christmas market as well as attraction like the ice rink, which will be floodlit in the evening, snow machines, carol singing and live music.”

Children will be able to enjoy a fairground ride and slide, while entertainment will be provided by carol singers and local band the Broadside Boys.

There will be plenty of stalls selling Christmas gifts and other items, and local community radio station Radio Castle will also be there to broadcast from the fair.

Santa’s grotto will be provided by the local rotary club.

For hungry shoppers, a hog roast will be provided by the Station Pub, and there will be a hot chestnut stand, waffles and crepes available.

Meanwhile, the Castle Inn will be serving hot soups, mulled wine and mulled cider, and even hot chocolate brandy.

The event is being supported by the Co-operative, Pat Betts of Hatchers Components, Framlingham Business Association and many other local businesses.

The Heritage Coast Market Towns Initiative (HCMTI) is also supporting the event with its Where’s Rudolph Christmas competition – a prize-giving treasure hunt to find the red-nosed reindeer at Christmas fairs in Saxmundham, Aldeburgh, Leiston and Framlingham.