CHRISTMAS is set to begin with a bang in Darlington this year with a number of events planned to welcome the festive season.

Panto stars The Chuckle Brothers will be on hand to flick the switch on the town's Christmas lights on Thursday (November 27) at 6.30pm at an event hosted by TFM's Steve and Karen in the Market Square.

Music, dancing, games and competitions will be on offer from 5pm ahead of a firework finale as part of the Christmas lights switch on.

The event also marks the start of late-night shopping on Thursday evenings in Darlington.

Other events on Thursday include carol singing in Queen Street Shopping Centre at 10.30am and 1.30pm and the launch of the Cornmill Centre's Sing to Win choir competition at 6pm.

The Christmas Market will set up at 10am on High Row and Northgate featuring gifts, food and sweets and will return to the town on Saturday, between 9am and 5pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

The finale of the celebrations will be the annual reindeer parade on Sunday, November 30, from 11am.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “With the big lights switch on and the Reindeer Parade along with our Christmas Markets, and a fantastic range of specialist and national shops, Darlington is the place to be to get into the festive mood.

“It’s festive and it’s free - I am looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic weekend for all.”

For details of all Christmas events in Darlington visit darlington.gov/christmas