AN ALL-day Christmas market, an X factor star, Pantomime characters, carol singers and street food will be on offer on Thursday as Darlington’s festive lights switch-on goes ahead.

Thursday's event marks the start of Christmas in the town alongside special offers and late-night shopping.

From 3pm there will be street performers around the town centre, with Mowden Junior School performing carols from 4.30pm outside Pizza Express on Skinnergate.

The Christmas market will open from 9am until 8pm, with gifts and food on offer on West Row and High Row.

From 5pm thousands of people are expected to fill the Market Square as TFM Radio’s Steve and Karen get everyone in a festive party spirit along with Father Christmas, Courtney Hadwin from The Kids Voice Final, Shanaya Atkinson-Jones from X-factor, and Bubbles and Snow White from the Hippodrome’s panto.

The switch on will take place at 6.30pm the and the Hurworth Concert band will provide entertainment from 6:30 until 8pm.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “Many thanks to Feethams Darlington for sponsoring our big lights switch on.

“It might be getting colder, but here in Darlington, we are really warming up for the Festive season. The Christmas Lights is just the start; there’s a host of things lined up to entice families into the town for festive fun and shopping.”

Ahmad Majidiasl, marketing manager at Feethams, said: “There will be lots of great entertainment for families and friends to enjoy together at the lights switch on, and right up to the big day. It’s definitely not to be missed and we hope to see many people getting into the Christmas spirit with us.”