Chester-le-Street launches its Christmas festivities this weekend.

Town crier Marjorie Dodds will introduce a programme of events at midday this Saturday, outside the Holiday Centre on Front Street.

Street entertainment will be provided by the town's Civic Choir, the Territorial Army Cadet Band, Lumley Castle Singers, the Salvation Army Band and the Churches Together Choir.

At 4.10pm the Chester-le-Street District Council chairman, Coun Tom Harland, will switch on the town's lights.

The following weekend, television personality Denise Robertson will open a Christmas fair at Durham County Cricket Club at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street.

The fair will run from 11am to 3pm on Sunday December 7 and will include a children's fancy dress competition and magic and balloon modelling by 14-year-old Chris Hodgson, of Ryton. Santa will be in his grotto. Entrance to the fair is £1 for adults and 50p for children.

That evening the Chester le Street Riverside Band will play a Christmas Brass and Voices concert in the Riverside Suite with the vocal group Agape.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10, which includes a hot supper served during the interval.

Further details are available from band chairman Tom Moffat on (0191) 388 0421.