Hundreds of shoppers are with a chance of winning a 2016 car of the year in a prize draw at Four Seasons Shopping Centre, but organisers are expecting a final flurry of activity with the last date for entries less than a week away.

Launched earlier this month, the contest to win the £9,300 Skoda Citigo – named as What Car? Best city car in the 2016 Car of the Year Awards – has seen a terrific response from the town, with some savvy shoppers doing their best to improve their chances.

“The rules are quite straightforward, and that’s helped make this contest a huge hit with the people of Mansfield,” said Rebekah O’Neill, centre manager at the Four Seasons.

“Whenever anyone spends £25 in the centre, they can take their receipt to customer services and get an entry into the draw to win the car. There’s no cap on the number of times anyone can enter – which meant that one gentleman, who booked his holiday at one of our travel agents, was able to enter 67 times!”

The closing date for the Win A Car event is 4.30pm next Sunday, 28th February. Reigning Miss Mansfield Amy Beilby will then pick the winner at a prize draw at the centre – broadcast live on Mansfield 103.2 – on Monday, 29th February.

“This is the first time we’ve ever given a car away to one of our shoppers, and I’m thrilled it has been so fantastically popular,” said Rebekah. “With only a week to go, the buzz of excitement here at the centre is really growing.”

Four Seasons teamed up with local car dealership Rainworth Skoda for the contest. Sales manager Jeremy Taylor said the event had been well-received. “The number of entries so far has been staggering,” he said, “but we know there’s still another week for people to get their name in the draw.

“I’m delighted that we’re almost ready to make someone’s year by giving them the keys to the Car of the Year,” he said.