THIS YEAR’S Christmas lights switch-on celebrations look to be the best yet as Knutsford Town Council seeks to kick-start the town’s trading as businesses gear up for Christmas.

Following on from the success of last year, which saw record crowds flocking to see Santa arrive, pulled by six reindeer, organisers have looked at making improvements for this year.

The reindeer who travel from Aviemore in Scotland will once again be parading along King Street and Tatton Street before delivering Santa safely in Canute Square.

This year, however, the presence of Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, who has voluntarily agreed to turn on the new Christmas lights, will get the evening off to a great start.

Town clerk Matthew Jackson said: “The town council is delighted that Sir Bobby Charlton has agreed to switch on the town centre lights, and expect a terrific turnout.”

In a change to last year, the switch-on will be at start of the event, at 6.15pm, and will also feature singing from St John’s Wood Community School.

Once the lights are on around the town Santa’s reindeer parade will move through the town, where the crowds last year lined the streets.

This year members of Knutsford Amateur Operatic Society will invite everyone to sing along as they escort Santa’s sleigh.

Yorston Lodge Primary School pupils will lead the singing once Santa has arrived in Canute Square, before being joined by the cast of Cinderella, making a special appearance before the run at the Grange Theatre, in Hartford, in December.

Mereside Brass Band will lead the traditional singing of Christmas carols as the evening comes to a rousing close.