THE countdown is advancing towards the big ‘switch-on’ in Ludlow.

It all happens on Saturday (November 26) and marks the start of the main shopping season in the town.

The Medieval Fayre throughout the day will culminate with the switching-on of the lights on not one but two Christmas trees.

Ludlow Concert Band will be playing Christmas music from 1pm on Events Square and Santa will arrive at the Grotto at 2pm in a reindeer pulled sleigh with the lucky winner of the 2016 Christmas Art Competition, six-year-old Freya Stewardson from St Laurence Primary School, Ludlow.

Santa has hundreds presents to give away from 2pm but as Santa is very busy at this time of year, he will have to leave around 4pm.

Free face-painting will take place near Santa’s grotto. Endless Entertainers will be a new attraction, so come along and meet Anna and Elsa lookalikes for photo-opportunities and singing.

Performances from Bella Acapella, Ludlow Male Voice Choir and Rockspring Choir will take place throughout the afternoon.

The Mayor, Paul Draper, will lead the countdown to the Ludlow town lights switch-on at 5pm.

After the town lights switch-on, Ludlow’s Rotary Club Tree of Light will be switched on in Castle Gardens.

The lights on both trees will remain illuminated through the Christmas period that will include special Tinsel Tuesday markets on the first three Tuesdays in December.