RUDOLPH the red nosed reindeer is too busy to visit Hatherleigh this weekend, but visitors to the town's ruby country market on December 6 will get the chance to meet a pair of Northern Scandinavian reindeer who now live in Devon.

Willow and Catkin (pictured above right) are yearlings and are acclimatising to life in England, where there is little of their usual snow-covered tundra to roam. They will be at the market, which runs from 9am to 2pm, giving visitors the chance to learn lots of facts about reindeer, what they eat, how they grow their antlers and how they are trained — but most of all actually meet the magical animals.

They will be one of the attractions at the traditional festive market which has approximately 200 fantastic stalls selling 'all kinds of everything', including a food hall. Hatherleigh Ukulele Bashers will be among the musicians performing for shoppers and the Devon Air Ambulance will be holding a bumper food raffle.

For more information go to the website at http://www.rubycountrymarket.co.uk">www.rubycountrymarket.co.uk