SKIPTON is set to host its biggest Christmas lights switch on event yet this weekend as the town welcomes Britain’s Got Talent finalists Boogie Storm to the High Street.

The dancing Stormtroopers are the headline act for the event which takes place on Sunday as part of plans for a full day of free festive entertainment for the whole family.

“It’s going to be the biggest lights switch on yet as we take over the High Street for the full day, and it is the perfect way to kick off the festive season in Skipton,” said Kerry Wheelwright, events and tourism manager for Skipton Town Council.

For the first time this year, the festive switch on will take place at the same time as the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run. Around two thousand Santas are expected to take part in the 5km run, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven, and will start and finish in the High Street.

The festivities start from 10.30am and will go on until 6pm, with the Santa Fun Run itself starting at 11am. There will be a main stage at the top of the High Street which from 12.30pm will feature a host of festive entertainment including choirs, brass bands, dance groups, musical theatre, bands and singers. They will include Dales Jam, Callum Spencer, Northern Dance Centre, Skipton Brass, Greatwood Community Primary School choir and Santa Sorbo.

In addition, there will be free workshops for children, including tips on writing letters to Santa, making Christmas puppets, a circus skills workshop, and a nativity dress up tent.

Santa will be visiting the town on his floating grotto boat at the Canal Basin, and Pennine Cruisers will be offering festive boat rides.

Other attractions include fairground rides, festive walkabout entertainment and stilt walkers, Donkey rides, face and glitter painting, Pretty Plaits hair tent and Birds of Prey.

Taking part in the switch on will be six year old George Hall, from Skipton, a recent winner in the St James’ Place Foundation Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards. George, a pupil at Water Street School, won the ‘outstanding bravery ‘ award for the way he copes with his rare heart disorder.

Grandmother, Nicola Garbutt, said George, who has a pacemaker and a tracheostomy to help him breathe at night, is hugely excited and has been telling all his schoolfriends.

More than 50 stalls will line the High Street selling a range of festive goodies, including ‘boozy’ hot chocolate and Yorkshire Pudding wrap.

The Hub at the town hall will then be open from 2pm for hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies. There will also be a free festive version of the ‘Make and Take’ craft sessions, suitable for children aged three and over and their families from 3pm to 5pm.

The switching on of the lights will be followed by a carol singing concert with Skipton Brass, with audience members invited to join in - it will run for an hour, from 5.45pm in the Skipton Town Hall Concert Hall.

The switching on of the lights is due to take place at 5.30pm. The event is organised and funded in a partnership between the town council and the Skipton BID.

Kerry added:“This is going to be a switch-on that really does justice to the spectacular Christmas lights and the fantastic festive atmosphere we will have in Skipton. However, we should remember that it is only through the support and great partnership working with Skipton BID, that Skipton Town Council are able to put on such a fantastic event. Without the BID Skipton’s lights would only be a fraction of what they are – and this event for our local residents and businesses simply wouldn’t be happening."

After the lights are turned on, Boogie Storm will be doing a ‘meet and greet’ with their fans.