Heswall householders and traders are being encouraged to work together to turn the town into a Christmas wonderland.

Heswall "ICE" Christmas festival - Interactive, Creative and Educational - is hoping to raise £20,000 for the event.

It is already shortlisted for £10,000 worth of funding from national organisation Thrive and Revive.

And now an internet crowd-funding site has been launched to top-up the cash.

Proposed plans include a nativity play to be be performed in the festively renamed "Puddingdale Park," alongside a Santa’s and dog grotto, with shop owners running their own stalls around the town offering mulled wine and wood-fired pizzas

Dickens outdoor shows and a tented village of educational workshops are also planned with plenty of chances to win big prizes from local businesses.

A Christmas lights switch-on will take place on December 1.

Event director Justine McLaughlin said: “The aim is to increase footfall in the Heswall district and to sell what’s good about our town to residents and visitors while encouraging them to shop locally.

“This event will rely heavily on community and business cohesion.

“We will need to ensure that businesses and residents work together towards making this event a huge success.”

To support the Heswall Christmas festival visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/heswall-ice-christmas-festival