There is no better time to look at Shopping Local when planning that big night out whether with work colleagues or as a special treat for family and friends to get together.

Offering fine dining, pleasant surroundings and the chance to get fully into the Christmas spirit, The Olive Tree Restaurant in Bacton Road, North Walsham has a series of events planned over the festive season.

Set in the North Norfolk countryside, the restaurant, which has been running for six years, is offering a series of dining and music events in the lead up to Christmas and places are also still available for their Christmas Day meals.

The Christmas party menu, which comprises three courses and runs from December 1 onwards, offers a range of classic Norfolk dishes including Roast Norfolk turkey breast, chef's Norfolk brie and smoked Norfolk duck breast.

Over the weekends in December, as well as fine dining, there will also be the chance to sit back, relax and be entertained.

On December 6 and 12 singer and acoustic guitarist Bill Downs, who appeared on BBC one talent show The Voice, will be performing, and on December 13 and 19 music will be provided by Lee Van. On December 20 there will be entertainment from a 1920s swing band.

The Christmas Day menu involves a seven-course set meal which includes Norfolk beef, Cromer crab, and toblerone cheesecake.

As the restaurant, which also has a Mediterranean-style terrace perfect for al fresco dining, is situated on the site of Norfolk Park which comprises lodges to buy or for holidays, accommodation is also available and only a stone's throw away.

Assistant manager Abbey Chamberlin, said; 'When you go out at Christmas, you want to enjoy yourself, you do not want to travel too far, it is quite nice to be local, where you can travel from home easily with lifts or a taxi.

'We offer a very high quality service and it is nice being local as there is a friendly atmosphere, we have people come in from the park and around the local area as well.'

The restaurant and park are owned by Simon and Lisa Moir who run The Dream Lodge Group.

The restaurant can be contacted via 01692 404900 or via email at info@theolivetreenorfolk.com or website, www.theolivetreenorfolk.com

Tying in with Christmas nights out are the spectacular light switch-ons which will be taking place in towns around the north Norfolk coast in the lead-up to Christmas.

These are: Holt Wednesday, November 19 at 6.45pm switched on by television presenter, Jake Humphries, Aylsham - in the Market Place on Friday, November 28 at 6pm by two local businessmen, Paul Fisher and Martin Smith, North Walsham - Saturday, November 29 at 6pm in the Market Place with Miss Teen Norfolk Gabbi Ryan, Sheringham - Friday, December 5 at 6.30pm and Cromer - Saturday, December 6 at 6.45pm by the winner of the children's poster competition.

• Click here to find out more about the Shop Local This Christmas campaign.