Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Here is good news for all ye Christmas shoppers! Late night Christmas shopping in Hamilton kicks off on Friday...and Town Crier Mr. Ed Christopher will be there to ring in the festive spirit.

Brandishing his trademark bell, Mr. Christopher will tour City streets each night of the extravaganza, adding a touch of pageantry.

Yesterday, shoppers got a taste of festivities to come when Mr. Christopher, Bermuda Chamber of Commerce executive members, and Mayor of Hamilton William Boyle, went on a City walkabout.

The festival starts at 5 p.m., and runs for five consecutive Fridays until 9 p.m. on December 22.

More than 40 shops are planning to stay open for late night shopping.

Every week, stores will feature special festive events. There will also be plenty of attractions laid on for youngsters outside shops, including face painting, a fun train, a castle, and a ferris wheel, while street stalls will serve light refreshments.

First vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. David Rowntree, said the annual festival had proved a big hit with shoppers.

"Our research has shown that people are drawn to an outdoor festival and enjoy the convenience of late night shopping,'' he said.

"We also listen to our members and design the event to ensure street activities don't conflict with all the in-store activities, choirs, demonstrations and fashion shows.

"We do everything we can to make it a unique, family-fun, shopping experience.'' He added Church Street, Burnaby Street and Reid Street would soon be ringing with the sounds of piped Christmas music.

Mr. Boyle backed the Chamber's efforts to boost the image of Christmas shopping, and provide special events.

"Special events help bring our City to life. The more we do to help generate traffic, the more success we'll have in restoring the health of our local economy.

"We encourage everyone to come out and give Bermuda the gift it needs this Christmas -- the support of our shopping public.'' first vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. David Rowntree, the Mayor of Hamilton William Boyle, and executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce Ms Cyanne Thomas.