Ilkley will mark the start of the festive season in dazzling style this weekend.

Anticipation is growing as the town prepares to welcome BBC Look North presenters Paul Hudson and Peter Levy for the official switching on of the Christmas Lights on Saturday.

A Christmas parade led by elves, Father and Mother Christmas and the Town Crier, and featuring musicians and schoolchildren, will kick proceedings off from Booths supermarket at 4.30pm.

Those taking part will be greeted when they arrive in The Grove by music courtesy of the Ilkley Music Centre, who will be playing on the Bandstand throughout the afternoon as part of the Ilkley Arts Festival.

They will be joined by a group of Morris dancers and a traditional barrel organist, all sponsored by the Ilkley and District Arts Federation.

District and parish councillor for Ilkley, and Bradford Council's environment chief, Anne Hawkesworth, said she was looking forward to a great day to begin the festive season.

She said: "Local traders and town centre partnerships around the district have laid on a wonderful programme of Christmas events to get people in the festive spirit.

"I would urge Ilkley people to go along, enjoy the entertainment and support their local event."

Mr Levy and Mr Hudson will switch on the festive illuminations on the tree outside Christchurch, in The Grove, at 4.45pm. Hot meals will be provided by David and Caro's mobile food van which will be selling everything from sausages to turkey sandwiches.

Last year the lights were switched on by Sir Jimmy Savile, who attracted hundreds of people to the event.

David Giddings, spokesman for the Ilkley Business Forum said: "I hope that this year the throng of people on The Grove is as good as last year, and that everyone enjoys the day."

Mr Giddings also put out a plea for car owners to be careful when parking on The Grove on Saturday. He said that last year, The Grove had been cordoned off by police, which caused problems when parked cars tried to drive away after the road had been closed. This year Mr Giddings advised shoppers to park elsewhere.

The Christmas Lights Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their support again this year: E H Booth & Co, Calders Jewellers, Cleggs of Ilkley, Ilkley Cane & Blinds, The Cottage Salon, Betty's, Nigel Ward & Co, Dobson and Robinson, Skipton Hire Centre, Yates & Son, Annings, Hudson Foster & Co, Peter Dyer Ltd, The Grove Bookshop, Duttons for Buttons, Peter Jones China, Ilkley Windows Ltd, Rocky Valley Deli, Greggs, Dacre, Son & Hartley, Phillips the Jewellers, Classical Bathrooms.