County to party the night away

People across Shropshire and Mid Wales are preparing to party their way into 2009. A string of events have been lined up to help people ring in the new year in style.

Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Shrewsbury's historic Square for the stroke of midnight. The tradition of gathering together on December 31 in the centre of the town has taken place for many years.

And parties will be taking place in pubs and clubs across Shrewsbury, including a superhero event at The Buttermarket in Castle Foregate.

Also among the festivities is an exclusive model event in Telford. Organisers of Dulce say it is the first event of its kind to be held in the county.

Model scouts will be attending the bash, which is at the club Bada Bing in Telford Town Centre, to look for any future stars.

There will be a chill out area, two dance floors and two DJ areas at the evening organised by Model Events.Graham Whitehouse, one of the organisers, said: "This is an exclusive night never seen before outside a major city.

"It is a taste of the high life of city partying.

"Nothing like this is available in the area we have brought it to Telford so people don't have to travel to a city for the extravagance and exclusivity bringing another level of partying to the area.

"On gaining feedback we discovered there is a serious need for this kind of event in Shropshire. Many enthusiastic party lovers never go out in their home town.

"They usually have to travel miles to taste what they love. So where better to host then inside Telford town centre?

"This is the first party of any kind inside the shopping mall. We are offering something new fresh and exciting to the area."

The event is ticket only, which costs £15. There is free champagne on arrival and food available.

Also included with every ticket is a free day pass to Nuffield Health, formerly Cannons Gym, and a voucher for £5 off food at Bada Bing in January and February.

People can also go to the Dodington Lodge Hotel, Whitchurch, for dinner and then into the Chester Suite for a dance. The public bar at the hotel will be open for people to go along and have a drink and admission is free.

People need to book for the dinner and dance on (01948) 662539.

And members of Market Drayton's Royal British Legion will present a grand New Year's Eve party night. The evening will feature the Jill Fielding band plus Top Line disco and a midnight piper.

Tickets cost £7.50 each. For details, call (01630) 652150.

New Year will be marked in Powys by a special flame-lit walk in Britain's smallest town, Llanwrtyd Wells. The walk begins at the town square at 10.30pm and returns just in time for the clock to strike midnight.

During the walk there will be re-enactments of the ancient Welsh tradition of Mari Lwys, which includes carrying a horse shape while singing songs.

In Newtown, residents will be treated to fireworks in Dolerw Park.

The Ironworks, off Church Street in Oswestry, will be hosting a New Year's Eve event with music from the Essentials.

There will be a karaoke contest with the winner receiving two free passes to the Ironworks for a year and a chance to perform with the band on the night - 1950s Grease-style fancy dress is encouraged, with the best costume winning a free pass for the year.

Tickets are £10. For details, call the Ironworks on (01691) 679123.