SHOPS in Charlestown will be open for a Christmas shopping night this Friday until 9pm, when many will be helping to raise money for Cornwall Hospice Care.

Gift ideas include paintings, jewellery, pottery and chocolates.

Some of the traders will be offering customers mulled wine and mince pies during the evening and Santa will be in his grotto at Tall Ships Creamery.

This year's hospice Christmas cards will be on sale throughout December at Atishoo Designs Gallery along with Dick Twinney's 2009 hospice calendar.

It was Liz Hackney of Atishoo Gallery who suggested the idea to the other traders.

"We have held a Christmas evening for the past five years to launch our Christmas exhibition, and with several new shops opening in the village over the past year it seemed natural to ask if everyone would like to join in," she said.

"Cornwall Hospice Care has been struggling with raising enough money to keep both hospices running, and the traders of Charlestown are aware of how important the hospice is to the community. "This is also a good opportunity to let people know that we are all open throughout the winter, unlike some of the other coastal villages."

Karen Holman of Cornwall Hospice Care said: "We have really appreciated Atishoo's support over the last few years and thank Liz Hackney for her help in getting other Charlestown traders involved."

Atishoo Gallery will donate 10% of all sales on the night to the charity, Tall Ships Creamery will be donating a share of takings from its grotto, and local artist Gemma Austen at Charlestown Gallery will be holding a raffle.

Other businesses confirmed as opening on the evening are Anna's Workshop, selling gifts and jewellery; Charlestown Trading, dealers in gardenware and art; Jangles jewellery and gifts; Crystals and Beads; Little Treasures Art Gallery selling art for children; Charlestown Post Office and Stores which has a range of cards, fudge and chocolates, and The Galley pasty and deli takeaway.