AFTER weeks of anticipation, Trowbridge's Christmas lights will be turned on at 6.30pm tonight.

Two days of festive celebrations will include fairground rides, stalls and a visit by Father Christmas.

Trowbridge town development manager Daryl Saville-Brown said: "It is very exciting and we expect lots of people to be there.

"It is a real community event and a great way to bring people together."

Joining the fun will be presenters from radio station GWR and HTV presenter Jon Monie who is appearing in pantomime at The Theatre Royal in Bath.

The Wiltshire Times will be in Fore Street to celebrate the switch on with a stand outside WH Smith.

For £3.50 children can have their photographs taken with Father Christmas. They will also receive a free gift and sweets and, because the event coincides with the BBC's Children in Need appeal, the Wiltshire Times will be donating any profits to this worthwhile cause.

Father Christmas will be at the stand between 5pm and 8pm on Friday, and again on Saturday between 11am and 3pm.

The Wiltshire Times will also be raising money for Stepping Stones, a Trowbridge-based pre-school for children with special needs.

Proceeds from the sale of the Wiltshire Times Christmas cards, designed by three-year-old Hannah Jordan, will go to the charity.

There will also be a raffle and other goodies to give away.

Entertainment will be provided by The Rainbow Steel Orchestra, Clarendon School senior choir, and west Wiltshire's very own Mr Christmas, Andy Parks.

A Christmas street fair is being held in the town centre on Saturday with 20 stalls including crafts and charities. There will also be street entertainers and fairground rides.

VANDALS who damaged the electricity connection to the lights on Trowbridge's giant Christmas tree have been warned their actions could have had dire consequences.

Town development manager Daryl Saville-Brown, who has overseen the installation of the town's festive lights, said the lights were damaged at the weekend.

She said: "The danger element is a real worry. They could have really hurt themselves as they exposed the bare wires. The lights could be mended, but it could have been far more serious."