Spalding's £70k Christmas lights ready to shine

Seventy thousand pounds has been spent on new illuminations for this year

Spalding's festive lights will be switched on during the town's Christmas Celebration event on Friday.

South Holland District Council and Spalding Town Board have spent £70,000 on new illuminations for this year.

There will be live entertainment, vintage fair rides, gift and food stalls and a fancy dress competition during the town centre event between 17:00 and 21:00 GMT.

Many shops will be staying open late during the evening.

Activities include a change to meet Buddy the Elf, festive Tinkerbell and Olaf, and a vintage swingboat ride.

Street entertainment will be provided by some of the cast of this year's South Holland Centre pantomime Snow White.

Live entertainment on the stage will include choirs, brass bands, singers and dancers.

A fancy dress competition will take place on the stage at 19:00 with the winner getting to turn on the Christmas lights.

The new decorations include column displays, a star topper for the Christmas tree, and 1,050ft (about 320m) of icicle lights.

For the safety of the event, Market Place and Hall Place will be closed to traffic between 12:00 and 22:00.

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