TAUNTON is gearing up for its Christmas lights switch on this weekend.

The town's Mayor Cllr Sue Lees will perform the honours accompanied by Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) chairman Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey at 6pm on Sunday (November 20).

Festive high street lighting hired by SWT has now been installed along with a tree taking pride of place outside the Market House in the town centre, donated by Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm.

It was transported and out up by Wheelers of Bridgwater on Monday (November 14), with help from the council’s localities team and Western Fabrications, who built the support clamp.

SWT has contributed £9,000 towards the celebrations this year, officially starting on Sunday with Taunton WinterFest and the lights switch-on.

Managed by Ben De-Vey’s Family Fun Fair, Winterfest 2022 will take place between 10am and 8pm and will be offering free family entertainment throughout the day, including meet and greets with Naughty Christmas Elves, a Snow Queen and Nutcracker on stilts, a free Santa’s grotto, funfair rides and a large Christmas Market.

Cllr Lees said: “Taunton’s Christmas celebrations are one of my favourite events and I’m really looking forward to turning on the lights this year.

"Residents and visitors will have plenty to enjoy from meeting the light up Snow Queen to seeing the live onstage performances, there’ll be something for everyone to keep them entertained.

“It’s important that we continue to support the recovery of our local businesses and I hope that many residents and visitors can attend, as well as wishing them a safe and welcoming experience in Taunton.

"I'd also to thank our staff, partners, sponsors and everyone else involved for their support in helping us to arrange these events.”

SWT is offering free parking for Christmas shoppers after 3pm in its Taunton car parks (excluding Kilkenny), and all-day parking at its car parks in Wellington and West Somerset on the Saturdays of December 10, 17 and 24.

The popular Carols Around the Bandstand will return to Vivary Park at 6.30pm on Monday, December 12, with details to be announced in due course.