MONEY spent in the town through the Eden Valley Loyalty Card scheme is set to top last month's total.

Chamber of Commerce chairman Peter Kingham has said he is "positive" the amount of cash spent in the town as a result of the Courier-backed scheme will be more than the £27,900 raised in December.

More than 40 local businesses have signed up so far, the latest being the Kent and Surrey Golf Club.

Mr Kingham said: "All indications are that the number of cards going into the draw has increased in the last month.

"I think we can expect a bigger amount this month.

"We have seen more and more people coming into the shop dropping their cards off. Because I work at one of the collection points, next month we know we're going to need a bigger box as the box is full already and there's still a few days to go until the cut-off point."

Each time a customer spends £10 at a shop or cafe signed up to the scheme, they collect a stamp on their card.

Once six squares are stamped, the card is dropped off at Magnolias or Edenbridge Florist and entered into a monthly draw to win a £50 voucher.

Mr Kingham said: "Everybody likes to participate. We get the sense that people like to be able to support their local businesses.

"It also gives businesses greater contact with their customers. People talk about the card in the shop and how much they're spending and whether they can spend a bit more to get a stamp."

The winner of January's draw will be announced on Wednesday by local legend Lennox Cato.

The Antiques Roadshow regular will draw the name of the lucky shopper at 9.30am at the Edenbridge Galleries.