Two busy roads in Darlington will be closed for the Christmas Lights Switch On this weekend.

This Sunday (November 20) Darlington will be alive with crowds gathering in the Market Square for the official beginning of Christmas as the town’s lights are switched on.

This weekend, drivers should be aware of two roads in the town be shut to allow for the volume of people in the town centre.

Church Row will be closed, as well as the Feethams section of road between the Town Hall and The Dolphin Centre between 6am and 10pm.

East Row will also be closed between 6am and 7:30pm that day.

Drivers should allow for these closures and plan alternative routes where necessary.

Pantomime star Christopher Biggins will be spreading festive joy when he joins Santa Claus to switch on the Christmas Lights.

Crowds in the Market Place will be entertained by TFM, a gospel choir, Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, the Grinch and a host of fairy-tale princess from 4pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, November 20.

Jonathan Dulston, leader of the council, said: “Darlington is definitely the place to be this Christmas for free, festive family fun. There is so much happening across the town centre in the run up to the big day – I can’t wait for everyone to come down and get involved.”

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