A NORTH Durham market town will celebrate the switching on of its festive lights with a day of fun and entertainment - and the arrival of Father Christmas.
The fun in Chester-le-Street will begin at the pedestrian area at the bottom of Front Street, next to the market, at 12.30pm, on Saturday.
Compere Andy Jay will open the event with music and games, and will also perform at 1.30pm and at 2.30pm and help with the build-up to the switching on of the lights.
The stageshow will also include two performances of the Pip, Pop and Santa show at 1pm and 2pm.
Father Christmas will be making an appearance on stage at 2.45pm, in between his stay at thegrotto in the Co-op's toy department.
He will be at the grotto in the Co-op, from 10am to noon, and 1pm to 3pm on Saturday - and on every Saturday to December 24.
At 3pm, Churches Together will perform music and Christmas carols, and deliver a Christmas message.
At 3.45pm, the special guest, actor Dominic Brunt who plays vet Paddy Kirk in ITV1 soap Emmerdale - will be on stage.
Chester-le-Street District Council chairman Councillor Allen Turner will switch the lights on at 4pm.
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