A FULL Day of festive attractions is being planned for the switch-on of Ledbury's Christmas Lights.

Those arriving during the morning, on Saturday, November 29, will have a chance to browse around an extensive High Street market, stretching from the Market House to the disabled bays, and a hog roast should also be an early attraction.

But the seasonal fun will not really begin until the arrival of Father Christmas, at 1pm, courtesy of a horse drawn Westons dray.

Cllr Phill Bettington, chairman of the town's Christmas Lights committee said: "The event is for all the family, and it is for the children. Last year, Santa saw 240 children in the grotto.

"I say to everyone - come along and enjoy yourselves. We have a medieval theme this year, so if people want to come along in costume, that would be good too."

The costumed Steve Kaos will be entertaining in the town centre shortly after the arrival of Santa's dray.

And The Ledbury Waytes will perform medieval music under the Market House, at around the same time.

At 1.15pm, Trigger the Land Train, one of the biggest attractions from last year, will arrive again to offer town centre rides.

There will be ballet dancing with a fairy tale and medieval theme, at around 1.30pm, and at 1.50pm the Silurian Morris Dancers will perform a traditional Mummers' Play, also under the Market House.

The Ledbury Waytes will then take a bow again, and Steve Kaos will resume his travels around town, on stilts of course.

At 3pm, a Mini Fancy Dress parade will leave Priority Cleaners in the Homend, and the Silurian Morris Dancers once again perform a Mummers' Play under the Market House.

Fancy dress will be judged under or in the Market House at 3.30pm, and at 4pm the Ledbury Community Brass Band and Choir will add to the festive cheer with a rousing performance.

At 4.30pm, the switch on of the lights will be by LADS pantomime characters, including a bear, helped by the Carnival Princess, Amy Browning-Smith, aged ten.

There is usually a crowd many hundreds strong in the High Street at this time, all gathered around the Market House and counting down for the throwing of the big switch.

The Brass Band will then strike up with carols until 5pm

From 1pm until 5pm, Loopy Lou and Joey will be providing Face Painting and Balloon modelling in the Royal British Legion, Church Street.

There will be various stalls in the club, including a tombola.

Santa's Grotto will, as ever, be in the Town Council offices, from around 1.30pm, and queuing will be in Church Street.