SANTA will swap his sleigh for an inshore lifeboat for Redcar's Christmas lights switch-on.

The town's lifeboat crew will tug Santa along the High Street when the Christmas parade sets off for the official switch-on by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Mayor, Councillor Norah Cooney, at 4.30pm, on Sunday, November 30.

There is a packed programme of entertainment, highlighted by the Beatlemaniacs return to the High Street stage for the second year for an hour's performance, starting at 3pm.

BBC Radio Cleveland DJ Stewart McFarlane will broadcast his Sunday morning breakfast show from the High Street, and the station's afternoon show presenter, DJ John Foster, will host the Radio Cleveland Roadshow, featuring the Beatlemaniacs.

Santa will be in his grotto from Monday, December 1, with opening times every afternoon, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm; Saturdays, from 10.30am to 3.30pm; and Sundays, from 1pm to 3pm.

All Redcar's car parks will be free after 2pm from Monday, December 1, until Christmas Eve, with the exception of the car park for Morrisons' Regent Walk store. The town's Shopmobility scheme is arranging special late nights in December. There is late night Tuesday shopping throughout December and many High Street shops will open on Sundays, adding to late openings on Thursdays and Fridays.