MEERKATS, tarantulas and Batman will bring festive cheer to Egremont this year at the town's Christmas Wonderland.

Egremont Amenity Committee's annual event will take place on Sunday, November 27 and includes music, a snow globe, the lights switch-on and Santa's grotto.

Last year's Christmas Wonderland had to be cancelled due to bad weather but organisers say 2016's event will be "bigger and better".

The mobile zoo, which was set to appear last year, is back and superheroes Batman, Spiderman and Captain America will make an appearance alongside a princess. It will be held in the Market Hall from 2pm and entry is free.

"People will remember that unfortunately last year, we had to cancel our event due to the adverse weather and we were absolutely gutted not only for all the hard work we had put into the event but for the community," said Geraldine Pritchard, from the amenity commitee.

"So this Christmas, we have made our event bigger and better than ever before, make sure you get yourself there."

Bookwell School's choir, accompanied by Egremont Town Band, kick off the entertainment with Christmas carols and Pete Moss, from CFM, will also be present.

Local talent including D'Bleeding Blaggards, Step by Step dancers and Whitehaven Theatre Group will perform. The theatre group plan to give a preview of its Christmas pantomime Cinderella.

This year also sees an extended street market with over 60 stalls selling a wide variety of goods, including food.

Visitors will be able to get their photograph taken inside a large snow globe and fairground rides are set to be available for children.

The five local primary schools - Bookwell, Orgill, St Bridget's, Moor Row and Thornhill - will get to take part with each child making a Christmas wish to be hung on the Wishing Tree in the Market Place, in Bigrigg and in Moor Row.

Gary Mayson, from Mayson Bros, will switch on the Christmas lights. He has been a major support to the amenity committee, providing an annual donation and delivering equipment. A fireworks finale will complete the Christmas Wonderland.

The event's major contributors include Copeland Community Fund, LLWR, Copeland Borough Council and Egremont Town Council.

Other businesses - Mayson Bros, Reays, Wilsons Butchers and Millcroft Vets - have agreed to an annual pledge and donations have been received from GMB Union, Egremont Drop In, Smithfield and Longcroft Tenants & Residents Association and Memory Lane.

Raffle tickets are on sale to raise money for the event. To buy some contact the town council office on 01946 820254.