COMMUNITY groups in Redditch are being invited to take part in a special Christmas parade in November.

Redditch Council and the Kingfisher Shopping Centre have joined forces along with the Town Centre Partnership to put on the annual Christmas Lights Switch On in the town and are looking for mascots, charities, organisations and community groups to take part in a Christmas parade.

Each year the event draws in hundreds of visitors and Redditch Council is urging groups to be part of the event and show their community spirit.

Councillor Mike Rouse, whose portfolio covers leisure services, said: “Apathy is everywhere at the moment, and as we spend more time on our gadgets and in our social media bubbles and the like, we can all too easily lose touch with the community that’s around us and the groups that help so many people less fortunate, or those that provide our young people with activities and opportunities to grow.

"As we switch on the Christmas lights in town, it’s a perfect moment to reconnect with these groups and say thank you for the magnificent work they do.

"You never know – you might also find a group you want to get more involved with, so come on down and help us bring community spirit back to Christmas.”

This year the switch on event will take place on Saturday, November 24 with the parade kicking off the festivities at 3.30pm.

The event will include music and entertainment at Church Green, with a pantomime performance and the switch on at 5:30pm.

To enquire about taking part or for more information, email Lyndsey.berry@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.