Christmas lights countdown starts in Banbury

The switch-on will be the highlight of the day but there will also be a host of other activities including a festive market in the Market Place, a fairground and Santa's Grotto with free face painting.

There will be dance, choir and pantomime performances and a firework display.

The official lights switch-on will take place at 6pm when the winners of the Banbury Town Council design-a-Christmas-card competition join Town Mayor Cllr John Colegrave on the Town Hall balcony.

They are Emily Barker-Fox, aged seven, and six-year-old Charlotte Atherton whose designs will be reproduced on the front and back of the official Banbury Town Council Christmas card.

The event takes place between 1pm - 7pm and is organised by the town council, supported by Castle Quay Shopping Centre.