SWANAGE Chamber of Trade is looking to undergo a 'revival' in the New Year, in a bid to boost town centre visitor numbers.

The organisation is also running a Best Christmas Window competition over the festive period, as part of the overall plan to increase trade.

And, according to the chamber, more businesses than ever before are taking part in this year's yuletide contest.

Swanage Chamber of Trade president Caroline Finch said: "This is part of a revival of the Swanage Chamber of Trade, promoting our wonderful shops and local businesses, and having fun at the same time.

"In the New Year we will be looking at running some training workshops for local businesses and helping people gain more skills.

"We have linked up with the Dorset Chamber of Trade which allows us to gain ideas from other parts of the county and share best practices."

The winners of the shop window competition will be announced in the week leading up to Christmas Day.

A Swanage Chamber of Trade spokesman said: "The chamber is also organising a Christmas competition for the under eighteens. Participants have to walk round the town spotting letters in windows which, when put together, spell out a Christmas greeting.

"Entry forms are available at Amber Bay jewellery shop. All letters are in the town, except for one, which we will give you a clue for. It is a shop that is called after an ancient workshop

for a Blacksmith."