Get ready for the great Christmas lights switch-on

This year the switch-on takes place on Friday December 2 at 5pm with deputy mayor Joanne Gadd doing the honours.

There will be carol singing from 4pm until 6pm with the lighting of the tree in the middle of this time. A choir of singers from a number of the local churches will be leading the singing of traditional carols, conducted by Christine Holliday. A number of primary schools will also be taking part.

Spokesman Michael Ensor said: “This year is a bit more complicated than previous years because the Chamber of Commerce has handed over the organising of town centre Christmas celebrations to a new Bexhill town traders’ association, and the DLWP is holding the East Sussex Music Centre’s Christmas Concert at 5.30pm the same evening.

“Nevertheless the lighting of the Christmas tree will mark the beginning of the Christmas season in town, and everyone is invited to come along and join in and sing along to the favorite carols.”

• The Christmas tree has been arranged by Rother District Council, and this year it has been sponsored by Louise Johnson of Caremark.