There is a double dose of festivities in Porthleven this weekend when the Christmas lights switch on will be followed by a day of free parking.

The port will be lit up for Christmas this Friday, starting at 6.30pm. Porthleven Town Band will be playing well known Christmas songs ahead of the switching on of the lights at 7pm.

The evening will also see a visit from Santa, along with fireworks and a variety of food stalls.

Then on Saturday, Cornwall Council has given Porthleven an early Christmas present in the form of all-day free parking in the Kittos Field car park behind Costcutter.

The aim is to encourage people to shop locally and support independent businesses this Christmas, which Porthleven is filled with.

To help mark the special weekend, a number of businesses will be offering free gifts and discounts over the two days.

They include, on the Friday, anyone buying a £10 Refresh Porthleven reusable cup from The Brewhouse, as part of the anti single-use plastic campaign, receiving a free cup of coffee.

On Saturday there will be a free mince pie for every customer at The Corner Deli, free hot chocolate with every slice of cake at Seadrift, a free Porthleven tote bag with every £40 spent at Carla Regler Gallery and 25 per cent off cashmere ponchos at Essa Collection.

On both days there will be free Christmas gift wrapping for any gifts bought at You Beauty Salon, 20 per cent off accommodate at PJ’s Bed & Breakfast, and mulled wine and mince pies at the Atlantic Inn.