THORNBURY will be all of a glow with the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights tonight.

This evening, Tuesday, November 17, Thornbury will grind to a halt to celebrate the start of the Christmas countdown and the switch-on of the lights.

Thornbury High Street and Castle Street will be full of festive cheer with a funfair and a Christmas market including, cards, sweets, cakes, preserves, drinks, cuddly toys and crafts.

George Jackson, from the Thornbury Christmas Lights Association, said: "The lighting display has been extended for the first time into Castle Street using all new low energy lighting units which are a further example of the association's policy to convert to environmentally friendly lighting as funds and circumstances allow.

"The Christmas Lights are purchased, erected, serviced, maintained, taken down, stored, lovingly cared for and renewed as required entirely by the volunteers of the Thornbury Christmas Lights Association.

"Each year the display costs a lot of money which must be raised by grants and donations and each year the display costs a lot of time and effort but we feel it's all worthwhile and benefits Thornbury greatly."

This year's bucket street collection held annually at the Christmas light switch-on will raise money for the Thornbury In Bloom committee.

"Please dig deep into your pockets to acknowledge and celebrate their magnificent achievement in winning Gold and First in Class at the National level of the Britain in Bloom competition at their very first attempt after many years of success at regional level," said Mr Jackson.

Switching on the town's Christmas lights on behalf of Thornbury In Bloom will be singer and song writer Nerina Pallot.

Thornbury High Street will be closed to traffic from 9.30am this morning to allow the setting up of the funfair. A section of Castle Street will be closed from 4.30pm to allow the setting up of the Christmas market.

The funfair and the Christmas market will both open 5.30pm.

Celebrity guest Nerina Pallot accompanied by Thornbury's mayor Cllr Phyllida Parlsoe, will switch on the lights at 7pm from outside the Town Hall.