THE countdown is on for the switch on of Droitwich Christmas lights, providing the grand finale to a day of festive fun.

The switch on by the mayor, Coun Tom Noyes, will take place outside St Andrews Church on the High Street on Saturday, November 30 at around 4.45pm.

The High Street and St Andrews Road will be closed to all traffic from 3pm to 6pm.

During the day there will be entertainment including the Worcestershire Farmers Market, craft fayres and exhibitions, children’s fairground rides, puppet shows, children’s craft activities and face painting. Music will be provided by West Acre Middle School Choir, Rock Choir, Spa Tones Community Choir and the Salvation Army Band .

This year there will be a traditional crib and nativity scene with animals on the Salt Barrow Market from 2pm. The nativity story will be narrated by the Salvation Army from 3pm.

From 4pm school children will assemble for a torch lit procession, accompanying a coach and horses carrying the mayor and Father Christmas for the length of the High Street to the parish centre, next to St Andrews Church.

On arrival the West Acre Middle School Choir will sing before the mayor counts down to the formal switch on.

The mayor and reverend David Owen then invite everybody to a Community Christmas Celebration in St Andrews Church from approximately 4.50pm.

Droitwich Lions are assisting Father Christmas in organising the Christmas Grotto, provided by the St Andrews Shopping Centre. On the day children are welcome to visit from 10am to 4pm.

Wychavon District Council will be offering free car parking from 3pm in town centre car parks. On Saturday, December 14 car parking is 20p for three hours in all Wychavon short stay car parks.