FATHER Christmas will be the guest of honour at Bewdley's Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday (December 1).

The annual festive market will be open in Load Street from 11am to 7pm, with live entertainment from the likes of Zennors Dance School, Bewdley Choral Society, Bewdley Concert Band and Sing & Tonic from 1.30pm.

There will also be street entertainers, coach and horse rides and a children's carousel, and the town centre's shops will be open as usual for visitors to browse.

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Andrew Easton will host the event, and will be joined on stage by Father Christmas and Bewdley Mayor Roger Coleman for the grand lights switch-on at 5.30pm.

A spokesman for Bewdley Town Council, which is organising the event, said: "We're encouraging everyone to come along, have a good time and see what they can get from the market, or pick up some stocking fillers from our local shops."

Bewdley Rotary Club has donated a Christmas tree to the town centre, and will be serving their popular hot pork rolls and chocolate covered marshmallows at Saturday's event.