The Christmas season gets well and truly underway in Camborne on Saturday when this year’s lights will be switched on at 4.30pm by the mayor, Val Dalley. The day will also mark the start of free weekend parking in Rosewarne car parks up until Christmas.

Organised by BID Camborne, the theme for the 2017 festive programme is Come and Play. Highlights on the 18th include reindeer in Commercial Square from noon until 3pm, free face painting, on-stage entertainment and, of course, the lights switch on in the town square.

A free Santa’s Grotto in Dylan’s Bear Necessities, Trelowarren Street, will open on November 25 from 11am to 3pm and be available every Saturday afterwards.

“There will be a lot going on and we’re delighted to be able to offer free weekend parking,” said BID manager Mel Martin. “We’re funded by local businesses and they’re determined to make Camborne town a fun, happy place to be at Christmas, with lots of great shopping opportunities. We’re also delighted that local people voted for Santa’s Grotto as Tesco’s blue token project.”

Sharron Lipscombe-Manley, who owns and runs Delight2Bite and is BID Camborne chair, added: “Ours is a close, very vibrant community and that’s especially obvious at this time of year when there’s a real buzz and a strong sense of welcome. We’re very proud of our town and love showing it off at its best.

“On behalf of BID, I’d like to thank Camborne Town Council for their funding support, Westfield Transport for our switch on stage, Camborne and Redruth Lions for support with the grotto and Brandon Hire for Christmas tree fencing.”

The BID team has published a leaflet and guide to the festivities which are available locally. For more information, visit cambornetown.com and facebook.com/CamborneTown.