For those of you who have followed the incredible adventure of Elizabeth Smithson’s lost treasure – her signed edition of A Christmas Carol by her close friend Charles Dickens and how her book, bought at auction in New York, was reunited with her town – will also be aware how Malton and A Christmas Carol has captured the imagination of the world ’s media.

BBC’s songs of Praise last Christmas followed BBC Breakfast and ITN in firmly establishing a link between one of the most iconic books in the English language and this little market town.

This achievement has happened thanks to a tirelessness band of volunteers, who need your help to build on this success.

One of the highlights of Songs of Praise was the carols sung in the market square by a group of schoolchildren from Whitby. With this as our inspiration, we are planning to stage a fabulous Christmas Carol this year, with choirs from the district singing carols around a massive Christmas tree. In other words, to reclaim Malton for traditional Christmas festivities with Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at its heart.

We are not only looking for choirs and choirmasters, but anyone who wants to help make Malton the “come-to” place at Christmas for families. Our small group, which includes Simon Howard, Kenelm Storey, Brian Oxberry, Clair Chadwick and Stephen Joll, would welcome any help. It can’t be done on our own.

Tom Naylor-Leyland has kindly and enthusiastically given his backing, offering to open the market square and link his Christmas food fair to help make this Christmas a truly magical one for children and their parents from around the region. We anticpate a great deal of media interest.

Malton will soon play host to a group of Japanese visitors who are entranced with Malton’s Dickensian past and are making a special journey from London.

If you want to get involved, email Clair Chadwick on Clair@causeuk.com or if you are passing my shop in the Shambles please leave your contact details there.

Selina Scott, Malton