THE community's choice to switch on Falmouth's Christmas lights has been revealed.

Jozef Stasiak will do the honours in front of hundreds of people on Thursday at 7pm.

Jozef was overwhelmingly nominated to switch on the lights by the community, organisers said.

Jozef was born with a life-limiting illness and his family has worked tirelessly to support him and raise money for St Mary’s School, where Jozef attends the Year 4 class.

The Christmas lights switch-on and parade will kick-start the festive period in the town.

The evening begins at around 5.30pm, when the Christmas parade leaves Events Square and makes its way to The Moor.

Choirs, bands and schools will perform on the stage before Jozef switches on the lights at 7pm.

The Falmouth’s Town Team plans to go bigger and better this year, having invested in more lights than ever – with more than 40,000 LED displays being switched on across the town.

Jozef’s mother, Heidi, said: “We are all delighted that Jozef will be switching the lights on this year in Falmouth. We are so excited that he will have this opportunity and know he will be so happy.

"I’d also like to mention his class friends, who are real heroes where Jozef is concerned. They accept him for who he is, and he is very much a part of his class and community at St Mary’s School.”

Richard Gates, Falmouth Town manager,added: “We would like to thank all who nominated. The event is a lovely community occasion in Falmouth, and we were this year, overwhelmed with the amount of nominations. I do hope that Josef and his family have a lovely evening.

"We are particularly looking forward to the Christmas period this year, with the organising of the new Festive Weekend on December 14 and 15. Falmouth’s Festive Weekend hopes to generate a magical festive feeling through the town for locals and visitors alike."

Read more: Go ice skating for £1 – all of the details for Falmouth's Festive Weekend

Falmouth Christmas lights switch-on evening schedule:

5.40pm – The Falmouth Christmas parade with local primary schools taking part (led by Pendennis Brass band), leaves Events Square and marches through the main streets to The Moor. Meanwhile on The Moor, Penryn Chorus will perform on the stage as spectators await the arrival of the children.

6.15pm – Local school groups arrive on The Moor and take to the stage to perform carols and festive songs. This is a traditional part of Falmouth’s Light Switch-on and really brings the community together.

7pm – The big switch-on for 2019 by Jozef and his family and friends.

7pm to 8pm – Performances continue on the stage courtesy of Viva Voce and Scruffy Mutt Theatre.

More information on Falmouth’s Christmas events, including the new Falmouth Festive Weekend, can found by clicking here, or by visiting www.falmouth.co.uk and via the Falmouth Festive Guide brochure currently being distributed.