With its national reputation as a craft town, West Kilbride is gearing up for another big yuletide night on Friday 5 December.

Santa’s parade begins at 6pm at the railway station, before heading his merry way into town, which will be hosting late night shopping, refreshments and discounts.

Father Christmas’s grotto will be based at the Village Hall, and there will also be a funfair for children just off the Main Road, at Glen Road.

Craig Masterson of La Dolce Vita sweet shop is one of the main organisers of the big festive bash, and said: “Every shop is offering something different from mulled wine to mince pies, and a range of shop discounts. It promises to be a fantastic evening, and even the church are getting involved this year and they will be open too for a special nativity scene..

“The town really comes alive on the Friday night, and it is a great turn for businesses.” There will be carol singers including Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band, West Kilbride Village Band, and West Kilbride Community Choir hitting the high notes.

Santa’s parade float will include sweets for children, and Largs and Millport News as media sponsors, will be offering goodie bags.

And there will be a special gazebo organised by main sponsors, the Seamill Hydro and Waterside.

The West Kilbride Boys Brigade will also be providing stewarding on the night to ensure another successful evening.

The Barony Church in West Kilbride, which is at the centre of the Craft Town Scotland initiative for the town, will also showcasing a stunning collection of hand-crafted goods from local makers and other makers across Scotland. There will also be children’s face painting at the Barony with two face painting artists upstairs so as many children as possible can have sparkly, artistic christmas faces this year.

* The original West Kilbride Christmas Craft Fair taking place in the Barony Centre on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30 November - it’s the 16th year of this popular event which is organised by volunteer co-ordinator Eleanor Jolliffe. There will be jewellery, ceramics, knitwear, cushions, fashion accessories, handbags, wood, photography, prints, cards, quilting, Christmas decorations, candles and soaps, stained glass, and embroidery. And also on offer will be a delicious range of artisan food from the following Ayrshire traders - Climies Butcher,The Catch at Fins (Saturday only), Petrie Fine Foods (Sunday only)Yummy Things, hand-made chutneys and baking.