THE festive season is coming to Great Malvern town centre, with the Christmas tree being erected on Belle Vue Island this week.

And preparations are well under way for the annual switch-on event tomorrow (Saturday).

And this year sees a new lease of life for the illuminated decorations, with brand-new LED lights going up on shopfronts throughout Great Malvern town centre.

Following the success of the new lights in Barnards Green and Malvern Link, Malvern Town Council has spent £15,000 on new energy-efficient lights for Great Malvern.

These new lights have been placed above shopfronts in Church Street, Belle Vue Terrace, Worcester Road and Graham Road, and will make the town look festive and inviting for the Christmas period.

A town council spokesman said: " The council would like to thank all those traders who have agreed to have lights on their building and those who have helped to power them at their own expense.

"It is hoped that these lights will help give Great Malvern a boost over the festive period and will complement the Christmas tree on Belle Vue island, which has once again been donated free of charge by Leigh Sinton Farm."

The festival will be held from 10am to 9pm on Saturday, November 23, in the town centre.

The parade will start at 5.45pm and the lights will be switched on at 6pm by Loula Geater and Mark James, stars of Aladdin at Malvern Theatres.

Children will have the chance to meet Santa in his new grotto in the Morgan Routemaster bus in front of Belle Vue Island opposite the Post Office between 10am and 3pm.