CHILDREN from across the Darlington borough are getting ready to light up the town in one of the area's most spectacular festive shows tonight.

The annual Lantern Parade, a traditional Christmas favourite, will bring much of the town centre to a standstill when huge crowds gather to witness the colourful spectacle.

Six groups from local primary schools - Beaumont Hill, Corporation Road, Heathfield, Sadberge, St Augustine's and St Bede's - will be parading lanterns they created working with professional arts company, Bravura Arts.

Russian dolls, Dutch windmills and an Egyptian sphinx will all be on show, reflecting the global theme of this year's parade.

The lanterns are to be carried by pupils in a procession leading from the Arts Centre, in Vane Terrace, to the Market Square.

Entertainers, including the Bollywood brass band, the Stiltskins stilt-walking and percussion group and Skerne Park-based group Pure Drumming will accompany the children along the route.

Borough council leisure services spokeswoman, Councillor Dorothy Long, said: "Year after year, the lantern parade brings a spectacular display of lights, sound and vision to the streets of Darlington.

"The enthusiasm and creativity of the children and professional team involved never ceases to amaze me. Thanks again must go to the event sponsor, Cleveland Bridge, for helping the council bring this magical event to the town."

The parade leaves Vane Terrace at 6.30pm and goes via Duke Street, Skinnergate, High Row and Tubwell Row before arriving in the Market Square at about 7pm.

Crowds awaiting the arrival of the procession in the Market Square will be treated to a performance by popular band, The Baghdaddies, on stage from 6pm, along with the Alpha 103.2FM Radio roadshow. The event ends in a fireworks finale at 7.30pm.

Several roads will be closed to allow the parade to pass through the town centre safely.

Vane Terrace, from Abbey Road to Trinity Road, will be closed from 5pm to 7pm.

Roads closed from 4pm to 8pm are: East Row, Horsemarket, Bull Wynd, Duke Street (from Raby Terrace to Skinnergate), Skinnergate (from Bells Place to Blackwellgate), Post House Wynd, High Row, Blackwellgate, West Row, Coniscliffe Road (from Larchfield Street to Blackwellgate), Bondgate (from Abbots Yard to Northgate), Prebend Row, Tubwell Row, Priestgate, Northgate from Prospect Place to Crown Street, Church Row and Church Lane.