NLTG Halloween Competition generates more than 2,000 visits to local shops

Accrington's popular Halloween competition generated more than 2,000 shop visits throughout the recent half-term holidays.

 Sponsored by North Lancs Training Group and Hyndburn Borough Council, children under the age of 12 were challenged to visit ten of 19 participating outlets, to collect special Halloween stamps on their competition cards.

 With the aim of the initiative to create some Halloween entertainment for the young people of Hyndburn, as well as encouraging more people to shop local in Accrington Town Centre, the activity was extremely well received, with shops inundated with trick-or-treaters throughout the duration of the competition, with some even running out of treats twice in the same day.

Those taking part really got into the Halloween spirit, with many dressing up in spooky costumes.

Donna Greenwood from Boutique 23 on Warner St, said: "Some really great outfits this year, you have all excelled yourselves."

 Taking place for the third year in a row, there were three competition prizes up for grabs, with Daisy Birtwistle aged 4, securing third place and a sweet hamper, Atticus Fitzhams aged 4 finishing in second place and winning Accrington Stanley tickets, while Helaina aged 9 was crowned the winner, taking home a £50 cash prize.

On Facebook, Café Ri-An commented: "A big thank you to #AmazingAccrington and all the fantastic trick or treaters we've had through our doors; your costumes have been amazing."

 Gareth Lindsay, managing director of NLTG, said: "We love sponsoring the Halloween competition. It is such a fun activity for families to get involved in during the half-term holidays and in the build-up to Halloween."

 Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "#AmazingAccrington have done a fantastic job of organising this event again this year, and it was brilliant to see all the children and their families out trick or treating and visiting local shops. It is a great way to make people aware of the super outlets we have in Accrington Town Centre."

 Murray Dawson, chair of #AmazingAccrington, added: "This has been the most successful year yet for the Halloween competition, with both our participating shops and our participants fully embracing it and getting involved. The town was flooded with trick or treaters at half-term, it was fabulous to see them all.

 "With the number of entries received, we can estimate that there have been over 2,000 shop visits as part of the competition, which achieves our aim of encouraging more people to #ShopLocal."

 You can see more on the #AmazingAccrington websitewww.amazingaccrington.co.uk and their social media channels.

Learn more about NLTG on their website www.nltg.co.uk