THE UK's first-ever Mistletoe Festival is expected to get off to a star-studded start in Worcestershire with a visit from three key members from the soap opera Emmerdale.

Lorraine Chase, Richard Thorpe and Chris Chittell - otherwise known as Steph Stokes, Alan Turner and Eric Pollard - are being lined up to launch the inaugural Tenbury Wells mistletoe celebration.

The event is part of a bid by the newly-established Tenbury English Mistletoe Enterprise to boost the town's profile following the enforced closure of the traditional holly and mistletoe sales at the livestock market in Tenbury last year. And 12 local MPs have backed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons by the town's MP Bill Wiggin hailing the foundation of a national mistletoe day. The motion states: "This House congratulates Tenbury English Mistletoe Enterprise on the foundation of a national mistletoe day on December 1 each year, and wishes the enterprise well in continuing their integral role in maintaining the position of the area as the centre of the mistletoe trade."

The extravaganza is being organised by former Tenbury Wells Advertiser reporter and local author Jen Green, who said: "After five years of covering the town's stories, I wanted to give something back."

The festival is due to start with a charity mistletoe ball at Cadmore Lodge on November 26. The first ever National Mistletoe Day will be held on December 1 when the Mistletoe Queen will be crowned and this will be followed by a weekend of arts, crafts, entertainment and sports, including a junior Holly versus Mistletoe football match.

The Emmerdale launch is on Saturday, December 3 and mistletoe Christmas cards and calendars will be on sale throughtout the festival.

MPs' PRAISE FOR MISTLETOE DAY

TENBURY English Mistletoe Enterprise has been praised by MPs from right across the political divide on its establishment of an annual mistletoe day.

Leominster MP Bill Wiggin has drawn up a Commons motion, backed so far by 12 MPs, hailing the move and encouraging the enterprise to stamp Tenbury Wells' claim on the festive mistletoe trade.

It has been supported by fellow Tories Sir Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire, and Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire. Hereford's Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch has also signed the Early Day Motion, as have Labour MPs including David Drew, who represents Gloucestershire.

It Early Day Motion states: "This House congratulates Tenbury English Mistletoe Enterprise on the foundation of a national mistletoe day on 1st December each year, and wishes the enterprise well in continuing their integral role in maintaining the position of the area as the centre of the mistletoe trade."