Otter Garden Centres are set to start the festive season with a special Christmas shopping event.

The event will take place on October 30 across all seven branches in Devon, Somerset, and Hampshire.

Every Otter branch will welcome customers with a free glass of prosecco, mulled wine, or a soft drink, as well as a seasonal treat such as mince pies.

The centres' coffee shops and restaurants will be open, serving an array of food and drink, ranging from coffee and cakes to a full festive menu, depending on the branch.

To get customers in the festive mood, all centres will play Christmas songs and live music.

This will include bellringers in Ottery St Mary and a choir in Plymouth.

There will also be demonstrations to inspire new ways of decorating Christmas trees and tables.

Most centres will also offer seasonal food tastings from brands like Cottage Delight and Cartwright & Butler.

A £100 hamper will be up for grabs in a free raffle at each garden centre.

Otter’s marketing manager Chris Amphlett said: "All our Christmas displays will be out and ready for customers to enjoy.

"We’re really pulling out all the stops this year so it’s a great chance to start browsing for decorations, lighting and gifts.

"Last year the event was so popular we had to send out for extra fizz, suffice to say that this time we’ve ordered extra supplies."

Otter’s festive shopping event is open from 4pm to 7.30pm.