Former EastEnders and All Creatures Great and Small actor to judge Chichester Christmas window competition

Open to all businesses in the city centre, the competition will be judged by the former Eastenders and All Creatures Great and Small actor 'on a range of criteria', including how the products are displayed, props and graphics used and the overall appearance of the shopfront.

According to Chichester BID, Christopher, 80, who also regularly starred in BBC soap opera Doctors, 'supports various charities and campaigns' and is a 'passionate advocate of the local area'.

Christopher said: “Local businesses and subsequently our sense of community is more important now than it has ever been and I am very proud to have been asked to judge the window displays in Chichester this Christmas.”

The festive windows, which were judged by Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville last year, will be in place from Saturday, December 5 and all entries will be awarded a silver gilt or gold certificate for the displays.

Christopher will decide on the three top award places: one winner in the multiple category, one winner in the independent category and an overall winner.

Have you read?: Small businesses in Chichester need our support in the run up to Christmas

Jeanette Hockley, operations manager at the business improvement district, said: "We are really pleased to have Christopher as this year’s special guest judge and can’t wait to see all the brilliant Christmas displays in our shops.

“Every year retailers and businesses put a great amount of effort into creating these amazing festive windows to delight shoppers coming to the city centre.

"This year the theme is ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ which can be represented in many ways. We want to know what Christmas means to our businesses, their teams and for this beautiful city.”

Chichester BID is encouraging the public to have their say in the People’s Choice Award by taking a photo of their favourite festive shop window out of all the entries and posting it on a social media platform using the hashtag #ChiBidXmas between December 5 and 21 or vote online via the LoyalFree App.

The business with the most public votes will be declared the winner.

Full list of businesses taking part:

– Lush, East Street

– Present Surprise, South Street

– Lucy with Diamonds, South Street

– Whirligig Toys, South Street

– Clothkits, The Hornet

– Draper’s Yard, The Hornet

– Proposals Chichester, St Martin’s

– Susie Watson Designs, North Street

– Cherry Vintage, St Martin’s

– Cancer Research, South Street

– Hennings, North Street

– Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery, South Street

– Rymans, East Street

– Giggling Squid, The Hornet

– Orvis, South Street

– C & H Fabrics, North Street

– Katie Loxton, East Street

– Alexander Jewellery, East Street

– Hedge Rose, The Hornet

– Jane Bulbeck Salon, Eastgate Square

– Rosie Rose, East Street

– Dartagnen Menswear, North Street

– Wagtail Coffee & Yoga, Gordon House

– Good News, St Martin’s

– The Barn Little London, Little London

– Fat Face, East Street

– Grace Hair + Beauty, The Hornet

– Café Paradiso, North Street

– RSPCA Mount Noddy Chichester Shop, North Street

– Alehouse Vintage, The Hornet

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