ORGANISERS of the Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival are looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the town to celebrate the upcoming festive season.

Members of the Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival committee are hoping to see their hard work pay off next Saturday (November 29) when the lights are switched on in the town, along with a whole host of other attractions, including market stalls, a fun fair and music and dance acts.

The committee have been planning the well-liked annual event for months and are hoping to see 5,000 people join in the fun in the town centre.

Ann Lyman, of the committee, said: “We always look forward to the festival. This year we are absolutely overwhelmed with people’s interest in the Bewdley Christmas Lights Festival, it has been phenomenal.

“The response has been incredible. There is more entertainment on than in past events.

“We just want people to enjoy themselves and experience the excitement in the lead up to Christmas. We want people to walk around everywhere in Bewdley as there will be something on somewhere in the town from 2pm onwards.”

She added the atmosphere at the event is always “absolutely fantastically wonderful” as everyone prepares to celebrate Christmas.

Entertainment throughout the day includes Andrew Healey who will be doing magic tricks, stilt walking and fire eating, Bewdley Concert Band, Stourport Choral Society, Mike Prince will be singing, Zennors School of Dance, a Samba Band and Mad Scientists Fire and Ice Show for children.

The Short term car park becomes a Fair Ground for the day with various fairground rides and a Crazy House will be situated at the top of Load Street by St Annes Church.

A park and stride scheme has been organised from The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre.

Mrs Lyman added: “This year we have got more stalls than ever. We are running on 92 stalls at the moment selling goods ranging from small artisan craft makers and food suppliers to local charity and community groups.

“Many thanks to St Anne’s Church as their church hall will play host to the young entrepreneurs’ stalls.

“The Christmas Lights Festival is what we work towards every year. Every event we hold throughout the year raises money to put on this great event.”