THE outlook is bright for the switching on of Stourport's Christmas lights next week.

A varied line-up of entertainment will help put shoppers in the festive mood as the countdown to Christmas gets underway in earnest.

Among the attractions on the day - Friday, November 23 - will be circus skills performers, a choir, three kings and a Thomas the Tank Engine lookalike transporting the carnival queen.

Santa will also be there, courtesy of the Lions Club.

Mike George, of BBC Hereford and Worcester, will compere the event, which gets underway at 4pm.

A parade, led by Stourport's mayor, Michael Grinnall, will set off from the town's sports centre at 6pm. Lights will be switched on as the parade passes through the town.

Russell Hinton, chairman of Stourport Business Association, which is organising the lights switch-on activities, hoped businesses would stay open past their normal closing hours on the evening, as extra people were expected in town.

"We've got lots of entertainment organised," he explained, "The schools will be involved. It should be good. If it's anything like last year, it will be excellent."

He added: "We're trying to get the shops to open up as well."

The three kings come from Lickhill Middle School.

Stourport High School Orchestra will provide music under the pergola in Villeneuve-le-Roi Gardens.

All middle and high schools have been asked to take part in the procession.