Chippenham Christmas lights switch-on is still going ahead tonight but the organisers have cancelled the firework display due to flooding at  River Island in Monkton Park.

Following the torrential  rain over the past two days Chippenham Town Council decided that the firework display could not ahead.

Emma King, tourism, events and PR manager at the town council, said: “Unfortunately I had to make the decision yesterday to cancel the firework display and fun fair rides on River Island as this area was completely flooded yesterday.

“However, the good news is that the light switch on event will still go ahead as planned. The town mayor, Councillor Andy Phillips, will switch the lights on at 6.30pm with his special guest Rawshan Abdullah from Frogwell School who won this year’s mayoral Christmas card competition.

“Father Christmas will also be making a surprise entrance, there will be stalls and rides throughout the High Street and a community and craft fair in the Neeld Hall.”

Thousands of people are expected in the town centre tonight for the  lights switch-on at 6.30pm from the balcony of the Angel Hotel in the Market Place by Mayor Andy Phillips, with help from TV presenter Rosie Hogg, who has compered the lights switch-on ceremony for the past couple of years.

They will be joined by special guests – the winners of the mayor’s Christmas card competition.

There will also be a fun fair, street entertainers and the Wellerhaus Fair Organ, a host of Christmas stalls in the High Street and a community and craft fair in the Neeld Hall.

Children from Redland Primary School decorated the Christmas tree in the Market Place.

Emma King, events and public relations manager at Chippenham Town Council, said: “This increasingly popular community event provides a magical evening for families and heralds the start of the festive season in our town.”

The town council is producing a free Christmas in Chippenham guide available from the Community and Visitor Information Centre detailing festive activities in the run-up to the big day.

There will also be the opportunity for late-night shopping. The Community and Visitor Information Centre will have Christmas hampers and gifts, local food products, calendars and the town’s biggest selection of charity Christmas cards for good causes.

The Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre will be open late. With free admission, visitors will be able to view the final week of the Olympic Dreams exhibition and the Chippenham and District Artists winter exhibition and sale of paintings in the Yelde Hall.

There is also be a Victorian fair in the Market Place on Saturday December 15 from noon to 5pm. 

It will feature stalls, entertainers, a hog roast, penny farthings and Victorian bicycles, carol singers, sweets, toffee apples and hot chestnuts. This is being organised by the town council and Chippenham Area Board.