FARNHAM Town Council is delighted to announce that the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on by Paralympic gold medallist Rachel Morris this Saturday (November 19).

The festivities are sponsored by Specsavers Farnham and will begin at 1pm in Gostrey Meadow. The afternoon will include back-to-back singing, dancing and performances by local schoolchildren, dance and theatre groups and bands.

As the grand switch-on approaches cast members from Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will whip up some excitement by giving a preview of the pantomimes being held at the Princes Hall, Aldershot and The Harlington Centre, Fleet.

Jill Hargreaves, the town council’s lead member for tourism and events, said: “At 4.30pm, the moment everybody has been waiting for will arrive. After a countdown from 10, the Mayor of Farnham and double gold medallist Rachel Morris will switch-on Farnham’s Christmas lights and declare the start of the festive season.

“We feel honoured that Rachel has agreed to switch-on the lights in her home town. She has had an amazing year and we are very proud of her achievements.”

As well the live entertainment on the stage, there will be many side stalls and attractions including a live nativity, funfair rides, face painting and the Farnham Maltings’ pop up craft.

Younger children will be able to visit Father Christmas in his grotto and receive a free gift.

Donations will be collected by the Farnham Hedgehogs on behalf of the mayor’s charity, the Ridgeway Community School, which is for children with severe and complex learning difficulties.

A detailed programme showing the timings for the stage entertainment can be seen on the website www.farnham.gov.uk/christmas.