CHRISTMAS will arrive in Pershore this weekend as the town is lit up at the annual switch-on event.

Festivities will take place throughout the town on Saturday (Nov 29) in the lead up to the main event at 4.45pm in Pershore's Broad Street.

This year the town has combined the switch on with Pershore's Christmas shopping day so stores will be open and joining in the celebrations.

Pershore Mayor, Councillor Tony Rowley, will be switching on the lights alongside youth mayor, Rebecca Wallbank.

He said: "This year we are spreading the festivities of the switch on across the town a bit more. We are really looking forward to a splendid time for both young and old."

To encourage visitors there will be discounted parking of 20p for three hours in short stay car parks.

The main events during the day will be in St Andrews Gardens, where Father Christmas and his reindeer will be putting in their traditional appearance and food stalls, including a pig roast, mulled wine and mice pies will be on sale together with a wide variety of other stalls and in Chapman Court there will be street entertainment and charity stalls.

The event, which has been organised by the town and youth councils, the Chamber of Trade and the rotary, culminates in a lantern procession from the gardens to Broad Street from 4.15pm and ends with carols round the Christmas tree and the switch on with fireworks at 4.45pm.

The 30 foot will again be donated by Pershore Rotary Club and will be bright with lights shining in memory of loved ons.

It's all part of the tree of light appeal and sees people honouring the memory of someone who can't be with them this Christmas by dedicating a light to them.

All the names of these loved ones will be displayed on a board near the tree during the Christmas period and on the Rotary Club of Pershore website.

This year donations will go to the Pershore Riverside Youth Centre, Acorns Children’s Hospice and some will be held for other Rotary charities.

The Tree of Lights Appeal will continue throughout the Christmas period ending on December 31.

If you would like to sponsor a light you can complete the form printed in this paper.

Alternatively visit rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=617 where you can donate directly.

In addition club members will be collecting donations at the lights switch on and at the Cooperative each Friday and Chapman Court on Saturdays throughout December.