OLYMPIC gold medallist Jack Laugher will be given a homecoming celebration as he switches on the Christmas lights in the city where he grew up.

The event will be the first opportunity the people of Ripon have had to show their support the 21-year-old's success in Rio - where he won Britain's first ever Olympic gold medal in diving in the men's synchronised 3m springboard event - and a large crowd is anticipated.

Laugher, who also won a silver medal in the men's individual 3m springboard at the same Games, becoming the first British diver to win multiple Olympic diving medals at the same Games, will be joined on stage by Santa Claus, the Mayor of Ripon, Adrian Morgan and the Greystone School elves to switch on the lights at 6pm.

The event on Saturday, on Ripon Market Place, will have entertainment from 4pm, featuring young dancer Kaymia Smith, followed by performances by the Ripon Rolling Tones and Greystone Primary School choir.

Elsewhere on the Market Place will be Transdev’s golden ‘36’ bus, named after the Olympic diving champion.

The event follows Ripon Cathedral’s Christmas Food and Gift fair, which will feature more than 100 stalls, between 10am and 4.30pm.

City development manager Alan Weston said: “We know that there was a great deal of support for Jack in the summer. We’re delighted that he’s able to be our special guest and switch on the Christmas Lights in his home city and that the public will get an opportunity to show how proud they are.”