Plans for Worcester's Christmas lights switch-on announced

The festive lights in Worcester will be switched on by the city's mayor at 18:00 GMT on Saturday

Christmas lights are set to be switched on in Worcester during an event featuring a lantern parade.

The city's mayor will be joined by cast members of a local pantomime for the switch-on in Cathedral Square at 18:00 GMT on Saturday.

A number of live music performances will also take place between 16:00 and 19:00 GMT.

The switch-on itself includes about 760,000 LED lights around the city centre, Worcester City Council said.

The lights will also decorate a number of Christmas trees including two 14ft (4.27m) Norway spruces outside the Guildhall and a 12ft (3.6m) Nordman fir in Gheluvelt Park.

"Christmas is well on its way and I'm looking forward to switching on the Christmas lights to officially launch the festive season here in Worcester," added mayor Louis Stephen.

Live entertainment, including a choir, will be hosted in Cathedral Square by BBC Hereford and Worcester presenters Elliot Webb and Kate Justice.

The parade, due to start at 16:00 GMT, will feature lanterns themed on The Nutcracker ballet.