BUILDING firms have given Didcot’s street fair an early Christmas present — a £10,000 sponsorship deal.

The consortium of builders for the 3,300-home Great Western Park estate — Taylor Wimpey, David Wilson and Persimmon Homes — will be the headline sponsor for the 2013 Didcot Christmas Street Fair to be held on Thursday, November 28.

The biggest sponsorship deal in the street fair’s history comes as it prepares to attract 20,000 visitors to celebrate its 20th year. Street fair co-ordinator Jeanette Howse, a member of the town’s Chamber of Commerce, said organisers were “thrilled” about the deal. Running costs for the event have reached about £9,000 a year. Ms Howse said: “We have no help from the council and don’t receive any grants, so it’s hard work raising the money.”

She added: “Following the sponsorship deal we will be able to replace all our road signs and advertising boards and we will put together a commemorative programme reflecting on what has taken place over the past 20 years, and how the town has changed.”

Darren McCormack, regional sales director for Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire, said: “We strive actively to help the towns in which we build.

“The street fair is a major event in the Didcot calendar which brings the whole community together. We are delighted to be supporting such a popular event and helping to make the 20th anniversary fair the best yet.”