A north-east town will celebrate Christmas in style this year after councillors approved plans for a funfair at the heart of its festivities.
Banff businessman Des Cheyne applied to Banff and Buchan area committee yesterday, for permission to transform the port into a winter wonderland, complete with fair rides, reindeer and sleigh bells.
The event, which will run between December 16 and 18, was approved unanimously.
Welcoming it to the winter calendar, local councillor John Cox questioned why the committee had even been made to make a decision on the proposal.
Branding the need for requests like Mr Cheyne’s to go to area committee as “too restrictive”, he has asked council officers to investigate the possibility of issuing delegated grants without the need for multi-ward meetings in the future.
Conservative councillor Michael Roy added: “This will be a significant event in Banff and these things should be encouraged.”
Mr Cheyne, who runs the famous Spotty Bag shop, said the Christmas fair, which will feature attractions from Aviemore’s Spencer’s Funfair for families to enjoy, is confident the event will attract visitors to the region.
He said: “It will add a bit of festive cheer to the area. It’s something that we’ve been able to put into the local calendar to bring people to.
“It’s a fantastic draw to the area and creates a sense of community spirit in this time of doom and gloom in the economy.”
This will be the ninth year that the Spotty Bag has organised a Christmas event for the town.
In previous years, reindeer were paraded through the port to welcome the arrival of Santa.