PLANS have been drawn up for a special Christmas market and lights switch-on celebration in Cleator Moor.

The town’s brass band, a Father Christmas grotto and carol singing will all be part of the fun on Friday, November 27.

And there will be refreshments, including mulled wine and mince pies.

The festive market will begin at 3.30pm, the brass band will playing from 4.45-5.15pm and a guest of honour will switch on the lights around 5.20pm.

“We want it to be a fun afternoon for the whole community,” says Dave Riley, a Cleator Moor town and borough councillor.

“There will be craft stalls from the Moor Made group inside the Civic Hall and there will be performances by the theatre group inside the hall as well as outside.”

The local girl guides group will be face painting and youngsters from the Phoenix Youth Project will be helping out.

The town council spent £4,475 on Christmas lights this year which clerk, Helen Gilmour, said that the lights would work better and last longer previous lights purchased by the council.

The lights will be put up around the Market Square on buildings and trees. Councillors said that the lights are multi-purpose so they can be used for other events throughout the year.

The market event is funded by the town council and the Town Team. Support comes from Cleator Moor Chamber of Trade and the Cleator Moor Civic and Masonic Centre.

The town team is looking to organise further events in the town next year and Coun Riley says they are keen to revive the town centre and promote local arts and crafts.

He says: “Our mission is to get more businesses in the High Street and we’d really like to have a shop there to promote our local arts and crafts people.”