It can be hungry work shopping in the city for the perfect Christmas presents for family and friends.

So in between trekking from shop to shop in search of festive gifts, be sure to treat yourself to well-deserved breaks in some of Norwich's great cafes.

Whether it is a quick drink, a light lunch, or a hearty meal that you are after, the wealth of independent eateries in our fine city means that there is a big variety of places for people to chose from.

And of course by enjoying the great food and drink on offer at our city's independent cafes, you will also be helping to give local businesses a great Christmas too.

Below, the Evening News has picked out a handful of the great places to stop for food and drink in the city.

Frank's Bar, in Bedford Street, is a quirky and friendly cafe bar offering a range of options for the tired and hungry shopper. There is an extensive breakfast menu and the lunch and dinner menu includes tapas style nibbles, platters, ciabattas, and bigger main courses. Frank's also has a good selection of cakes, hot drinks, and soft and alcoholic drinks. In the run-up to Christmas, shoppers will also be able to enjoy a glass of mulled wine there.

Jarrold, in London Street, has three different options for food and drink.

On floor three is The Pantry, the store's largest restaurant. This offers a good selection of main meals including a carvery. The Christmas carvery, which starts on December 1, is turkey breast with cranberry, bacon and pork stuffing, bread sauce and old fashioned turkey gravy. A full English breakfast is also available until 11am.

Cafe Benjamin on the first floor is a waitress service cafe offering everything from paninis and homemade soups, to teas, coffees, scones and pastries. Every Wednesday at 3.30pm, the cafe serves traditional afternoon tea, which people need to book up for in advance.

Cafe Metro in the basement is great for a quick drink or bite to eat. It offers lighter lunches such as sandwiches, soups, and rolls, and also serves scones and pastries, speciality teas and coffees, and cold drinks.

Olive's, in Elm Hill, offers a great breakfast menu including American pancakes, a full English breakfast for both vegetarians and meat-eaters, and croissants with chocolate dipping sauce. For lunch there is a wide selection of toasties and sandwiches, pizzas, and a Norfolk version of Welsh rarebit.

Olive's is open in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays, and for the festive season it will also be open late on Thursday for dinner. The festive dinner menu is planned to include good old-fashioned food like cottage pie, fish pie and chilli. Olive's also has a wide selection of coffees, teas, and soft and alcoholic drinks. It will be serving mulled wine as the festive season gets under way.

Caley's Cocoa Cafe has two venues, one in the Guildhall, which is waitress service, and one in White Lion Street, which is counter service.

Both are offer a great opportunity to sample the city's historic brand of chocolate, either in the form of a bar or hot drink.

The lunch menu includes salads, jacket potatoes, paninis and quiches, and the soon to be introduced Christmas menu will include turkey sandwiches and mince pies.

There has been an excellent response so far to the new Evening News Shop Local for Christmas campaign in which you could win �1,000.

To be in with a chance of winning, pick up a Shop Local 'passport' from stores displaying the Shop Local sign.

They are also available from our office in Rouen Road, Norwich, or can be downloaded from www.eveningnews24co.uk.

Make sure you have your 'passport' when you visit local stores. When you spend �10 or more in a participating shop you receive a stamp on your 'passport'. Collect 10 and send your completed 'passport' to Shop Local, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.

Your name will be entered into our draw and one reader will collect �1,000 just in time for Christmas. You have until Friday, December 17, to collect your 10 stamps. 'Passports' must reach us by Saturday, December 18, and the winner will be announced in the Evening News on Wednesday, December 22.

If you are a shopkeeper or have a business locally and would like to be a part of the Shop Local for Christmas campaign, we'd love to hear from you. Simply call Steve Maddams on 01603 693856 or email steve.maddams@archant.co.uk or call Emily Watt on 01603 693853 or email emily.watt@archant.co.uk.

We will provide posters, stickers and Shop Local for Christmas 'passports' for your customers to encourage them to shop with you.

Businesses currently taking part in Shop Local for Christmas:

The Canoe Man, College Road

Blue Jean Co, Lower Goat Lane

Elements, Lower Goat Lane

Paddock Farm Shop, Mulbarton

Paddock Butchers, Mulbarton

Hatters, White Lion Street

Ginger, Timberhill

Jonathan Trumbull, St Stephens Street

Three Ways Lebanese Restaurant, Gentlemans Walk

Gallyons Country Clothing, Bedford Street

Clive Dennett Coin Shop, St Benedicts Street

Fishes Restaurant, Drayton High Road

Archers Butchers, Plumstead Road

White House Farm Shop, Sprowston

The Steam Packet, Rose Lane

Norwich Cosmetic Centre, Exchange Street

Simpsons Jewellers, White Lion Street

Albrow & Sons, All Saints Green

City Farm Shop, Notcutts Garden Centre

Aurum Jewellers, Bedford Street

Church Farm Shop, Hethersett

Elizabeths the Florists, Unthank Road

Sue Ryder Care Charity Shop, Earlham

Collins Care, Sprowston Road

Cane Furniture Centre, Dereham Road

Eastons Coaches, Stratton Strawless

Mirror Image, Sweetbriar Industrial Estate

The Kitchenary, Taverham

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden

Camilla Brides, North Walsham Road

The Brook Hotel, Bowthorpe

Frank Spurgeon Butchers in Unthank Road, Norwich, Brooke, Long Stratton, and Harleston

Love Couture, Ber Street

Retreat Vintage, Magdalen Street

Wroxham Barns: Sugar and Spice Childrens Clothes; Capricorn Minerals & Jewellery; Coastal Stained Glass; Chris Hutchins Norfolk Sketches & Picture Framing; The Apple Shop; Tricia Francis Potter; Pat Trett Woodturner and Engraving; Sue Windley Sculptress, Art and Craft Materials; Sew Creative Quilting and Patchwork; Bill LeGrice Roses and Plant Centre; Uncle Stuarts Brewery & Beer Shop; The Model Landscape Company; Wroxham Barns Gallery; and Wroxham Barns Country Food Food Shop.