EXCITEMENT is building in Redcar ahead of a Christmas fun day and the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights.

Cleveland Police horses will lead the parade, which leaves the bus station at 4pm, on Sunday.

In the parade will be Santa's Marching Band, the British Legion Pipe Band, Top Line Community Arts, the Dormanstown Delegates Junior Jazz Band and the Saltburn Victorian Society.

Santa and Middlesbrough Football Club mascot Roary the Lion will ride in an American-style giant pickup to the town centre for the switch-on and carols at 4.30pm.

The fun begins at midday, with TFM Radio's Morning Breakfast Team and music from Big Sigh and the Yawns.

The programme has been organised by Redcar Business Association and Redcar Town Centre Management. The lights have been funded by a variety of events, including a fireworks night at Redcar Racecourse, supported by The Clarion, The Northern Echo's sister weekly free paper in east Cleveland.