Schoolchildren helped preparations for the biggest event in Chippenham’s calendar by decorating the town’s Christmas tree ready for tonight's switch-on.

Thousands of people are expected to visit Market Place to see it light up.

Town mayor Sylvia Gibson and Marc Allum from The Antiques Roadshow will switch on the Christmas lights at 6.30pm from the balcony of The Angel Hotel.

Six to seven-year-olds from Ivy Lane School were given the honour of making the decorations for the town’s tree, which has come from Elveden Forest.

A cherry picker had to be used to decorate the top of the 30ft Norway Spruce on Monday.

Teacher Jim Faulkner said: “They went wild with the glue and glitter. They’re really proud of their designs and are all excited about Friday.”

Santa will help to turn on the lights, as well as Hardenhuish pupil Annika King, 12, who impressed the mayor with her Christmas card design, and Charter pupil Isabel Dykstra, eight, who won a contest to design a Christmas light motif and whose festive creation will be lighting up the Market Place.

Annika’s painting of the Buttercross will be reproduced on the mayor’s Christmas card, which will be sent out to about 200 people. There will also be a community and craft fair in the Neeld Hall from 4.30pm tomorrow, Christmas gift stalls throughout High Street plus a funfair and street entertainers.

This will be followed by a dazzling firework display at 8pm.

The evening will be compered by TV presenter Charlie Vernon, who reports for Channel 5’s Live With Gabby show.

Parking in town council car parks is free after 6pm, but people are asked to walk if possible.

Coun Gibson has posted her letter to Santa in the special postbox at the visitor information centre. Children are invited to pop in and post their letters there before Friday, December 6 to receive a reply.