WEST Somerset is set for a very busy festive weekend with Minehead Christmas Lights switch-on, Dulverton by Starlight and Dunster by Candlelight.

Dunster by Candlelight is one of West Somerset's busiest winter events as the preserved medieval village turns back the clocks and lights the streets with candles.

The candles will be lit by stiltwalkers and street entertainers include talented jugglers, a hula-hoop extraordinaire, people performing swords and fire show and puppetry among much more.

Dunster Castle will also be playing its part on Friday and Saturday when it will be dramatically floodlit and the Inner Hall will be filled with the sound of choirs and musicians performing traditional and contemporary festive music.

Performances over the weekend include the Quantock Musical Theatre, Taunton Preparatory School choirs, local musicians Hazel Prior and Saffron Summerfield.

There will be bucket collections in the street, which Andy Fay, Chairman of the Candlelight Committee, says have raised more than £500,000 in the 28 years the event has been running.

"The event is special because the setting is wonderful and the castle provides a beautiful backdrop and it very family focused. There is great entertainment and the traders really make visitors feel welcome," Mr Fay said.

Dunster by Candlelight will take place on Friday from 5pm-9.30pm and Saturday 4pm-9.30pm. There is no parking available so the only way to visit is via the special buses which go from Minehead, Porlock, Watchet and Wheddon Cross or via the train which stops at Dunster.

Minehead's Christmas Light Switch-on takes place on Saturday between 12pm and 5pm and will have fairground rides, Punch & Judy shows, music from the West Newton Jazz Band & Stewart Michaels, donkey rides, and carol singing from the Citizens' Advice Bureau Choir.

The lights will be switched on by the Minehead First School choir, along with Father Christmas at 4.30pm.

Then on Sunday there is Dulverton by Starlight when the town is decorated with Christmas trees festooned with lights, all of the shops are open for people to do some Christmas shopping, and festivities take place all afternoon and into the evening.