A TOWN centre festive treat will be held this week.

Ferryhill Christmas fair, which this year is set to be one of the biggest yet, will take place tomorrow from 2pm to 8pm.

Ferryhill Town Council and the Ferryhill 2000 committee have organised a farmers' market, craft fair, Santa's grotto, fairground rides and street entertainers and music.

A candle-lit procession will leave St Luke's Church, at 4pm, to walk to the town hall gardens for the switching on of the Christmas lights, followed by music and carols.

To join in the procession, visitors should arrive at 3.45pm, and candles can be bought for £1.

The craft fair will be held in St. Luke's Church Hall, from 2pm to 6pm.

Stalls will be in Church Road, shows in Market Street, and Santa will hold his grotto in the town hall.

At 7pm, the Manor House will host music and carols from Ferryhill Town Band, and serve mulled wine.

Throughout the day there will also be fundraising events in aid of The Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland.

Organisers have worked with the police and are appealing for co-operation from residents and workers to limit the obstruction to traffic during the event.

Chapel Terrace and part of Market Street and Church Road will be closed from around 6am to 8pm, but residents have been offered alternative parking arrangements.

Sections of Church Lane, Market Street and the unnamed road between Church Lane and Market Street will be closed during the procession.