A COORDINATOR has been found for this year s late night Christmas shopping event, organised through Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.

A COORDINATOR has been found for this year's late night Christmas shopping event, organised through Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.

Helen Watts, who works part time at Kaieteur renewable energy specialist in Sidmouth's Fore Street, has agreed to take on the task.

She said: "Paul Duriez [Chamber chairman] came in and asked me.

"I think it is a nice thing to do.

"As I have just moved from Exeter to Sidbury I thought it would be nice to do something as part of the community."

A trained therapist in Swedish massage and acupressure; which she will shortly be offering at Flo & Us, further down Fore Street, Helen will visit shops in the town to check if they will be opening late on Friday, December 5.

She has already had a few ideas of encouraging shoppers to Sidmouth, including the possibility of having street entertainment and again getting Christmas biscuits made for the night.

"All help will be gratefully received, including ideas from members of the public as to what they would like to see, because it is for them," she said. "It all adds to the atmosphere."

Asked if she would be persuading larger shops like Fields to open she said: "It's up to them, I will approach them but I am not going to force them."

* Ideas and offers of help can be made at Kaieteur on (01395) 515561.