A 'Falmouth Christmas Bus' decorated with thousands of LED lights, with a Santa's Grotto on the lower deck, will make its debut at the town's Christmas light switch-on on November 29.

The open-top double decker bus will be transformed into a hub of festive activity for all ages, with everything from choirs and storytelling sessions to craft workshops and live theatre.

Its upper deck will host a variety of local musicians, community choirs and bands whilst the lower deck will be a winter wonderland with free activities as well as the grotto.

As well as appearing at the Christmas lights switch-on, the bus will tour the town centre between 5pm and 8pm on Thursdays and between midday and 3pm on Saturdays throughout December.

Richard Gates, Falmouth Town Manager said: “We are always looking for new opportunities that can support our town and we feel that this year we have got a really special addition to complement the range of festive activities being planned for the Christmas period. This has never been done in Cornwall before, so we’re delighted that our wonderful town is once again at the forefront of creative event planning. As we all know, the town’s linear arrangement can prove challenging at times, particularly when trying to create a festive atmosphere that encompasses the whole area. The Falmouth Christmas bus is a step towards generating a magical festive feeling whilst spreading Christmas cheer!”

Falmouth Packet:

Richard Wilcox, Falmouth BID Manager added: “We were pleased to receive a variety of feedback in relation to the Falmouth Christmas offer within the recently distributed BID surveys. So, working with town businesses, First Bus Group and Falmouth Town Council, we’re injecting new and exciting ideas that can further improve the activities over the festive period, raise Falmouth’s profile and encourage more visitors into our special town.”

Alex Carter, Managing Director of First South West said: “As a business providing services to the local community of Falmouth and surrounding area, we are delighted to be able to help make this great initiative happen in a very practical way, by donating the use of our open top bus.”

In addition to the Falmouth Christmas bus, there is a packed programme of festive events planned:

• Christmas lights switch-on nominations - the Falmouth Town Team are once again inviting nominations for special individuals or deserving community groups to switch on the Christmas lights. Nominations can be sent either via email to ruth@falmouth.co.uk or by phoning the Town Management office on 01326 313553. Nominations will close on Friday November 16 and the lucky individual or group will need to be free from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on the evening of the switch on.

• Late night shopping – this starts on the Christmas lights switch-on evening of Thursday November 29 and will continue on each Thursday in the lead up to Christmas. Local businesses are invited to stay open late on these dates.

• Adopt a Tree – this proved very popular last year and so businesses who wish to receive a Christmas tree to display outside their business premises on all of the late-night shopping events are encouraged to get in touch with the Falmouth Town Team.

• Falmouth Festive Favourites! These are all being organised for the town once again:

- Cornwall Film Festival. They will be back with a Christmas film on The Moor on Friday December 7.

- Miracle Theatre. Aladdin will be their Christmas show at Princess Pavilion and the show will run from the December 7 until the January 5. Book your tickets now!

- Frozen evening. The Disney Frozen princesses will be inviting families to a singalong on Saturday December 8.

- Live Nativity. This lovely interactive parade will be taking place on Sunday December 9.

- Santa Fun Run. Falmouth will be filled with Santas for the Cornwall Hospice Care Santa Fun Run on Saturday December 15.

- Harmony Choir. An institution in Falmouth, the Harmony Choir will be performing in the streets on Monday December 24.

More information on the Falmouth Christmas Bus and other Christmas events will be posted on www.falmouth.co.uk - the official destination website for Falmouth and ‘Falmouth Cornwall UK,' the town’s official Facebook page.