DARLINGTON Council is making all its town centre parking free for the evening of its Christmas lights switch on.

The initiative came following a request from Sam Blackham of the Sunday People’s Market which is holding a special market along High Row and Blackwellgate to complement Thursday’s lights switch on events.

Council Leader Bill Dixon said the authority was happy to grant Mrs Blackham’s request and the offer will start at 3.30pm and will include on-street parking bays.

Coun Dixon said: “Obviously with the lights turn on you have the ideal opportunity to try and get a lot of people in the town centre.

“The people who work on the market have really stepped up to the mark with all the effort they put in and this is just a small contribution from us to help the market and hopefully bring more people into Darlington.”

The lights switch on ceremony starts at 5.15pm with a welcome from TFM Radio followed by dance displays, carol singing and a performance from 2012 X Factor contestant Dale Ali of Catterick.

Other special guests include former Sunderland and current England footballer Jill Scott, Darlington manager Martin Gray and team captain Gary Brown, plus local Paralympic hopeful Kieran Maxwell.

Santa is expected to arrive at 6.15pm and the Chuckle Brothers will turn the lights on at 6.30pm to a fireworks fanfare.

The events are being supported by Darlington College, TFM and BID company Distinct Darlington.