So what's on your Christmas dinner table?

The town is bucking an apparent national trend away from the good old fashioned turkey in favour of less obvious and more expensive game and poultry.

Town butchers say although they're selling slightly more geese and ducks this year, there's no danger of them overtaking turkey as the town's number one Christmas nosh.

Alan Lee, manager of TG Matthews butcher in, appropriately, Turkey Road, said: "Surprisingly geese have been popular this year even though it's expensive.

Turkey is still favourite though, and so far I'd say I was 20 per cent up on last year. People like the traditional and they like to buy from a proper butcher because they know the meat has been properly reared, sourced and prepared."

Andy Richards of T Burt in Ninfield Road concurred, saying: "It's been like every other year for us. We've sold maybe 20 geese which is not many. People are sticking to the traditional and Bexhill's a traditional place."

Michael Southurst of Dewhurst in Devonshire Road said he could expect to sell up to 100 turkeys over the period. He added: "It's been a little slow so far but we have an extra trading day so things should pick up. The turkey crowns are increasingly popular."

Derek Shaw in Western Road said the turkey crowns and fresh turkey roll were particularly popular with Bexhill's elderly population, many of whom live alone or in couples and do not need a big bird.

He added: "That's the way it's going because that's what is convenient. We are selling more geese and duck than last year but we're also selling more turkey. People don't mind paying out for the Christmas table because it's the one special day of the year."

All four agreed that it was sage advice is to buy local from experienced master butchers.