HUNDREDS of residents are set to flock to Worcester City centre on Thursday to witness Shrek and Mayor Aubrey Tarbuck officially switch on hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights.

Visitors will be treated to two big switch-ons during the evening to get the festive season into full swing. One will take place at the Guildhall, the other in CrownGate shopping centre.

At 5.30pm, Councillor Tarbuck will light up the city from the Guildhall before he walks to join Shrek at Friary Square, in CrownGate, for the second event at 6pm.

A Cinderella-style carriage and princess is just one of the main attractions in Crown-Gate as well as countless cerise, purple and gold decorations adorning the centre.

A team of almost 40 worked through the night last weekend to deck the halls and swathe the ceilings in preparation for the annual event, which is set to be bigger and better than ever.

Six new strings of green lights will drape across the High Street, thanks to Classic Hits radio owner Muff Murfin.

Mr Murfin was so disappointed with last year's effort he decided to launch the Christ-mas Lights Appeal, which he says has been a great success.

"Myself and many others thought the lights were a pretty poor show so we started collecting money to buy new decorations. Worcester City Council has donated £17,000 towards buying and putting up the six new strings of lights. We are now fund-raising to buy even more and build on the collection each year so there is always something new and exciting to enjoy every Christmas."

Donations to the lights appeal will be being taken on Thursday and anyone who gives more than £25 will be featured on a 'hall of fame' notice board. Cheques to the Christmas Lights Appeal will be accepted on the night or can be delivered to the Guildhall at any time.

l For those who fancy kicking off their Christmas shopping after the switch on, shops will stay open until 9pm. The Worcester Volunteer Centre will also host a late night shopping event for the elderly and disabled. Late night shopping will continue until 9pm every Thursday until Christmas.