PLANS for this year's Christmas lights display in Bidford are already in place with the first fundraising events being held next weekend.

The Bidford Christmas Lights Committee has planned a weekend extravaganza on Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13 which will include a summer concert and a duck race.

Popular local choir Tarantara will perform a variety of songs at St Laurence's Church next Saturday.

The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, will be followed by strawberries and cream and sparkling wine in a riverside setting in the gardens of Blythe House in Grange Road.

Committee member Peter Batacanin said the event had been very popular in recent years and tickets for this year, priced £7, were available on the door or from committee members.

The following day, about 1,000 plastic ducks will be racing down the River Avon from Bidford Bridge.

The annual race, supported by volunteers from Bidford Canoe Club, starts at Big Meadow at 3pm and a first prize of £100, second prize of £50 and third prize of £25, all sponsored by Bidford businesses, will be on offer.

Ducks to sponsor will be available on the day for £1 each or before the event from committee members or from Bidford retailers like Bidford News in High Street.

The Christmas Lights committee will be organising more events throughout the year to help maintain the annual lights display and add new attractions.

This year the lights will be switched on by famous local actor John Nettles, star of Midsomer Murders and Bergerac, on Sunday, November 28.