There will be plenty on offer for residents this weekend as Whitchurch’s Christmas Lights will be switched on.

The big switch-on will be on Saturday, November 25 at 5pm where newly-crowned Citizen of the Year, set to be named on Tuesday, will join town Mayor Councillor Tony Neville at the Civic Centre.

Cllr Neville is delighted to be attending his first switch-on as the leader of the council and thinks the public will be impressed by what they see.

“I am really excited to switch on the town’s Christmas lights along with our chosen Citizen of the Year,” he said.

“We have some new lights and attractions in store for Whitchurch this year which we are very much looking forward to revealing to the public.”

Whitchurch town centre will have an outdoor Christmas Market from midday until 6pm, featuring a children’s mini fairground, Father Christmas in his grotto as well as a special new grotto shed with children’s activities.

The Whitchurch Amateur Dramatics cast of Cinderella will also be on hand, while St John’s Church have their Christmas Fair in the Civic Centre’s Main Hall from 10am until 1pm.

Whitchurch Library is running Christmas-themed crafts from 10am until noon while dance troupes Maggie May’s and Glo’s Cheerleaders will be performing, as will Whitchurch Town Band and Welsh group Teulu.

Shropshire Council is offering free parking from 2pm onwards in the following car parks: Newtown, Castle Hill, St John’s Street, Pepper Street and Brownlow Street.

The town’s final lantern workshop will be running from 11am until 1pm in the Market Hall with the lantern parade starting its journey at 4.30pm.

St Alkmund’s Church is hosting its annual crib festival with more than 100 different cribs expected while shops in the town will be celebrating with extended opening hours until 6pm and beyond.

Blozone will also be performing, and town centre manager Zoe Dean is looking forward to the day.

She said: “We’re really excited to be able to bring such a wealth of activities to our switch on day, thanks to Whitchurch’s local groups joining forces with us.

“This year live band Blozone is sure to be a hit as we celebrate the lights switch on.”