With dark nights upon us, colder days rolling in and lights sparkling all around, Christmas is well and truly just around the corner and what better way to prepare than to support local businesses.

Across Cornwall there are a myriad of brilliant independent businesses offering a variety gifts to satisfy the various of needs the people in your life.

Cornwall Council is doing its bit for those shopping local this December by offering free parking in all of its car parks.

The scheme will see residents enjoy free parking in Cornwall Council car parks and free Truro Park and Ride on Small Business Saturday on December 6.

However, it is not just Cornwall Council which is doing its bit to shine a light on some of the brilliant local businesses available to shoppers. Launceston Chamber of Commerce has announced that it is holding an ‘Advent Winter Trail’.

The scheme gives local businesses the chance to host a grand advent light-up ceremony - just like opening the next door of an advent calendar!

A spokesperson from the chamber said: “We’re excited to introduce the Advent Window Trail, a festive opportunity to light up your business and bring the community together! This event will feature 24 businesses, each creating a beautifully illuminated, advent-themed window display.

“Here’s how it works: Each participating business will be allocated a number corresponding to a day in December when their window "opens" (is illuminated for the first time).

“Displays should remain illuminated from their assigned day through to Christmas Day.

“We will promote your business on social media to guide the public to your display and highlight your offerings.”

To take part, all businesses need is pavement or roadside-facing window, a festive display with an advent theme, and a commitment to illuminate the display only from their specially assigned date and keep it lit through the Christmas period.