THOUSANDS of people of all ages will take to the streets of Devizes tomorrow evening (Friday) to watch the annual lantern procession and Christmas light switch-on.

Organisers expect crowds of up to 3,000 to watch the hundreds of lanterns created in all shapes and sizes go on a tour of the town from 6pm.

People have been hard at work for weeks creating the lanterns and many have attended free sessions to learn how to craft them in different shapes.

Among those who have made one to a specific design is Julia's House hospice for children. Alison Radevsky chairman of the Devizes friends group, who has made one in the shape of the charity's logo, said: "I spent Sunday morning working on the Julia's House lantern for the parade and I am returning to apply the colour. There were certainly some spectacular ones being produced all around us this morning, including a dragon with beating wings and the ability to breathe (flour) smoke."

Father Christmas will be collected en-route by the lantern procession and lead the parade back to the Market Place where he will turn on the lights at 6.45pm. This will be followed by fireworks.

But fun will start much earlier in the day when Christmas stalls open from 10am in the Market Place and others will open at 2.30pm in the Corn Exchange. A number of businesses will stay open late.

Santa will be in his grotto in Albion Place as school choirs will sing from 5pm to 5.30pm.

This year there is also the chance for young people to be part of a new act that will join the procession dancing with umbrellas. Up to 15 teenagers will join the Umbrella Project organised by Circomeida Circus School in Bristol in conjunction with Devizes Local Youth Network and Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts.