WORCESTER-based electricity giant npower is to sponsor the city's four-day Christmas Fair.

The event, in its ninth successive year, has been hailed the Midland's most prestigious Victorian-themed street market.

Street entertainers, including a Victorian Santa Claus, a Christmas carriage, a 9ft tall stilt-walking clown and a juggling Victorian gentleman, will roam around.

The opening ceremony will take place in one of the city's oldest pubs, The Swan with Two Nicks, in Friar Street.

And staff there will join in the fun by wearing traditional costume to serve mulled wine and a Christmas buffet.

Sponsors, advertisers, councillors and special guests will then be invited to a special reception.

"We're delighted npower has decided to sponsor our Christmas Fair this year," said Clare Booker, the event organiser.

"The fair is a very important part of the city's annual calendar of events and is getting bigger and better this year."

Wayne Rabin, brand experience manager at npower said sponsorship was an important part of the fair.

"The Christmas Fair is an ideal opportunity for npower to continue our involvement in the community and to demonstrate our commitment to Worcester," he said.

Also sponsoring the event, which runs from Thursday, November 29 until Sunday, December 2, is Worcester Tourism Association, which has supported the Christmas Fair in previous years.