Eat, shop and be merry is the message from the organisers of Hitchin Street Food Monthly - which returns for a special festive edition this week.

People in Hitchin are encouraged to shop local and gift local this Christmas, with the popular outdoor event featuring a raft of local traders offering locally sourced food and drink, crafts and wares.

There will also be a bar and mulled wine along with festive face painting and a live DJ at its new location in Hitchin Market, not Market Place.

Organisers said: "Join us on Thursday [December 2], from 4pm-9pm for our final festive fling of the year because we won't be back now until Spring 22."