FESTIVE celebrations will be getting under way in Richmond in less than two weeks' time.

Father Christmas and BBC Look North presenter Chris Jackson will be in town on Friday, November 29, to switch on the Christmas lights.

The display has been updated with the help of Richmond Town Council and the town's Duck Club.

Visitors will be able to start their Christmas shopping as more than 30 shops are staying open until 9pm.

The grand switch-on of the lights is taking place in the Friary Gardens, at 7pm, where carols will be sung and the Duck Club will be serving hot soup from 6.30pm.

Richmond Scouts will be serving shoppers with hot roasted chestnuts under the Trinity Church Tower, in the Market Place, and mince pies and punch donated by local traders will be served in the Market Hall.

Carol singers will provide a festive atmosphere in the Friary Gardens and the Market Place.

There will also be an indoor market, and the results of the Most Festive Shop Window Competition will be announced at 8.45pm.

Rounding off the evening will be 19-year-old Beverly Rudd, from Tunstall, singing the evening's final carol in the Market Square.

Beverly has appeared at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London, in the Threepenny Opera, and is also a member of Richmond Operatic Society.

The event has been organised by town councillor Linda Curran who said: "We hope to see as many people as possible coming into Richmond for what will be a spectacular start to the festive season. We are proud of the lights and feel sure the evening will go a long way towards helping people embrace the Christmas spirit.