WHILE most people dread the big-four-zero, staff at Yate Shopping Centre are relishing the prospect of a big celebration and are asking you to help.

The shopping centre, which was opened on September 24, 1965, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and while management at the centre are hoping to mark the occasion with a special celebration, they just can't decide what to do.

After surviving the Pucci prints of the 70s, the shocking shoulder pads of the 80s, the truly terrible tracksuits of the 90s - not to mention the uprising of Burberry at the beginning of this century - the centre is keen to mark the achievement with style!

Marketing manager Beverly Organ said: "There is a great community spirit in Yate and the shopping centre is a friendly meeting place for local people. We want an event that customers of all ages will enjoy.

"As Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix opened the centre back in 1965 we would love to get a Corrie star back for our birthday, but we are not sure our budget will stretch to that."

Suggestions have also been made to create a lasting momento of the event, one of which was to replace the clock in the centre of the precinct.

Added Beverly: " A lot of customers miss the clock so it would be great if we could stretch the budget to get a new clock to mark our birthday."

Anybody with any ideas on how Yate Shopping Centre should celebrate its 40th birthday can write to Beverly Organ at Yate Shopping Centre, Management Suite, 43 North Walk, Yate, BS37 4AP.