THE town will be sparkling with festive cheer at the annual switching on of the Christmas lights.

The fun-fuelled event will kick off around 6pm on Friday, December 5, with the grand switch on by TV's Hi-De-Hi star Ruth Madoc.

The sweet sound of music will also fill the air when pupils from Whitford and Dodderhill School sing a selection of Christmas carols in Victoria Square.

Father Christmas will make a grand entrance, arriving on a barge to greet youngsters in High Street with free and exciting gifts around 5.15pm.

Fun fair

But the festive extravaganza does not stop there. Both adults and children alike will enjoy the Christmas programmes of events on offer from Friday, December 5 to Wednesday, 24.

Visitors can not only enjoy all the thrills and spills of the fun fair in Victoria Square and High Street but can also snap up those bargains in time for Christmas while late-night shopping. The Salvation Army will play during the week and the Rotary flag will be raised on St Richard's House flagpole. This symbolic flag will be flown throughout Christmas in memory of loved ones that have passed away.

Chairman of the Droitwich Association of Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) Richard Brighton said: "We are hoping as many people will turn out as possible and this year's event will be even bigger and better than last year.

"We particularly hope residents will enjoy the new lights and come out to see Ruth Maddoc switching on the lights."

Young party revellers are also urged to visit Cedric the Dragon appearing at Peacocks in the Salters Shopping Centre on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6.

The store will be aiming to raise as much money as possible for National Children's Homes.