A YOUNG shopper has won more than £1,000 worth of gifts from traders in a North Yorkshire town.

Sixteen businesses in Northallerton teamed up to offer gifts, meals and vouchers for the town’s Wish List contest.

Shoppers had to visit each of the participating stores, choosing what they would like on their Christmas list and collecting a stamp from each one.

The winner picked from a draw on Saturday (December 21) was Kirsty Spink-Wrighton, 22, from Northallerton, and on Sunday she was presented with her prizes.

She said she had chosen mainly for family and friends, but had her eye on one or two things for herself.

“I tried to boost my karma by including other people – I’ve never won anything in my life,” she said.

Items on the Pizza Express waitress’ winning list included a hot chocolate caddy from Bettys, fruit cake from Lewis & Cooper, a handbag from Verve, a Sodastream from Maxwell’s and a science kit for stepson Jake, aged ten and step ladders from Sam Turner & Sons.

The idea was dreamed up by Lisa Cooper and her team at Esprit in Northallerton High Street, then taken up by fellow members of Northallerton Retail and Business Forum.

Forum secretary Gareth Dant thanked the businesses that had taken part and said they were planning an even bigger version of the contest in 2014.

“We’re delighted to be able to provide this fantastic early Christmas boost for Kirsty and her family. The Wish List competition has been a fantastic success and has really achieved its aim of getting people into more of the fantastic shops across our town.

“Despite living most of her life in the town, Kirsty said she had never before set foot in many of the shops taking part but would definitely return. This is music to our ears.”