THE SECOND Haslemere Christmas window competition has been launched.

After the success of last year’s inaugural event, retailers and businesses in Haslemere are being invited to enter the festive spirit and dress their shop windows to compete for a range of prizes awarded to the best dressed windows.

The competition is being sponsored by the Parish of Haslemere - in association with St Stephen’s, Shottermill - but the festive windows do not have to be religiously-themed.

The blue ribbon prize is for the community vote, with other prizes being awarded by the judging panel for the most festive display, the most stylish, and the window that is most complementary to that shop’s business.

Winners in each of these categories will receive a large hamper packed full of seasonal goodies.

"The aim of the competition is the same as last year, which is to have a lot of fun, to encourage footfall and present buying in the town and to draw us all together as a community," said Rev Justin Manley-Cooper.

Shops and other businesses wanting to take part will be given a notice to display in their window.

Judging will take place on December 10, with winners and shop front photos appearing in the Haslemere Herald on December 16.

Voting via the Haslemere Parish website will begin on December 1 and close on December 13.