Preparations for the Christmas Fayre are now in full swing in Bury St Edmunds, as organisers hope for their biggest extravaganza yet.

Yesterday saw the launch of a new initiative aimed at getting visitors cycling in to the town centre festival, which draws in thousands of people from across the UK and Europe every year.

St Edmundsbury Mayor Patrick Chung is helping to promote the event, now in its 12th year, which he expects to be “absolutely fabulous”.

St Edmundsbury Borough councillor Robert Everitt and Barry Denny, of bike shop Maglia Rosso, along with Mr Chung, are promoting a new scheme, which will see free bike storage in Cornhill Walk.

They got together for the launch at Cornhill Walk yesterday, with Mr Everitt getting on his bike dressed as Santa Claus.

Hawstead-based Maglia Rosso is offering a free bicycle check from the shopping centre for those using the storage, along with a free hot drink, and children will receive a free gift.

Mr Chung said: “We are going to be very busy promoting the fayre. This year should be even better than the last.

“I think every year we have done it we have got bigger and have had more visitors. It is a great idea to get people cycling in and we are going to be ensuring there is enough parking as well.

“I am very proud that Bury holds this event. It is not just for the visitors, and yes the road closures and traffic may be a bit annoying, but I think most people will put up with it once a year. It is a brilliant event.”

New to this year’s fayre is the Homemade in East Anglia section featuring a dozen regional businesses selling everything from wine and cakes to soaps from the Cathedral court yard.

The four day event starts on November 26 and will feature more than 300 stalls that are trading from nine different town centre locations, including sellers in Abbey Gardens, traditional European stalls on Angel Hill, and some set up inside Moyse’s Hall Museum.

Children can enjoy a traditional funfair alongside other games and rides, while a range of street entertainers and a traditional town crier will appear.

Visitors will be able to meet reindeer in the Abbey Gardens, enjoy carols and other musical entertainment from two stages on Angel Hill and Charter Square and join in traditional carol services in the Cathedral on the Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Robert Everitt, the borough council’s Cabinet Member for Families and Communities said: “Our Christmas Fayre always has lots of fantastic attractions, a mixture of wonderful stalls, the event brings Christmas alive with its sights, sounds and aromas from food and drink stalls.”

A 1,000 space Park and ride service will be running from Claas UK off of the A14 near Risby from Friday to Sunday.

Greene King is also making its Cullum Road car park available for the Saturday and Sunday.

For more information visit www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk