TOWN centre shops are joining in the spooky fun as Knutsford looks to welcome residents and visitors to its annual Pumpkin Path trail.

The event takes place on October 31 from 4pm to 7pm, and like last year Knutsford Town Council is organising the trail with many of the town’s retailers and businesses.

The event will see youngsters and their parents scouring King Street’s shops and restaurants to find 11 carved pumpkins which spell out ‘Pumpkin Path’ before submitting their entries to the Heritage Centre’s spooky postbox.

Sandra Curties, town centre manager, said: “This year is a true community-led event, with dancing provided by Fuchsia School of Dancing, singing from local choir Knutsford Beats, and Tesla will also be making an appearance.

“It’s so lovely to see so many shops stay open late and join in, not just the Pumpkin Hosts, and see local - and not so local - families having fun.

“There will be a few spooky characters along the path, and Wallwood will be decorated in true Halloween style.”

As well as the shops hosting pumpkins, donated by Jonty’s Fruit & Veg of Knutsford Market Hall, the whole of the community has got involved.

A huge variety of retailers will be decorating their windows, including Pizza Express, Oxfam, Town and Country, Lockton’s, The OId Sessions House and Zo and Co.

People can vote for their favourite by completing the entry form on the night, and the top three will be announced by the Mayor the following day.

One of the original Pumpkin Path organisers and sponsors, Julia Chard of Mr Simms said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring our sixth Pumpkin Path and supporting businesses with sweet donations to help them with the event.

“Pumpkin Path has grown to become one of the highlights of Knutsford’s events calendar, and with the feedback we are getting from our customers I think this will be the biggest night yet.”

Knutsford Market Hall will stay open on the night hosting traditional Halloween games, mulled wine from Morgan Edwards, face painting by Sylvia from Serendipity and Halloween food from The Market Café.

Event Buddha is providing traffic management services, and volunteer groups Knutsford Lions and Knutsford Hosts, plus students from Knutsford Multi Academy Trust, are helping with marshalling, and Tatton Perk will provide hot drinks for volunteers.

To enable the Pumpkin Path to take place safely road closures will be in place on King Street at the junction with Church Walk to the junction with Drury Lane, and Minshull Street.

There will be parking pay suspension from midnight on Tuesday, October 30 from the King Street junction with Tatton Street to the junction with Drury Lane to enable two-way traffic to enable residents’ access to be maintained.