FESTIVE entertainment will fill the streets of Bewdley for the Christmas Lights Festival on Saturday.

Liz Davies and Father Christmas.

The event will be held between 1pm and 8pm and there will be musical performances, a fancy dress competition for children, a fairground organ, miniature steam engines and fairground rides.

Christmas market stalls offering food and crafts and a charity market will be along the riverside and in St George's Hall throughout the day and into the evening.

Father Christmas will lead a procession from Bridge House to the Guildhall before the big switch-on at 5.30pm.

Load Street will be closed to traffic between 1pm and 8pm and a park and ride scheme will operate from Bewdley High School on Stourport Road between 10am and 8pm.

Bewdley town councillor, Jeremy Ferguson, who sits on the Friends of Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival committee, which is made up of volunteers from the local community, said it was working hard to improve the festival each year.

He added: "I certainly hope it is going to be the best year we've had so far."

Liz Davies, the Mayor said on behalf of the committee: "The Christmas Lights Festival is one of the highlights of the year.

"As well as bringing out all of the residents of the town, many people come to visit and see what a beautiful place it is.

"With the markets and entertainment and the decorations and music it really is magical."

The committee is appealing for volunteers to help with marshalling and anyone interested can contact Mr Ferg-uson on 07734 527075.