THE search has started to find the person who will have the honour of switching-on the Christmas lights in Ilminster town centre later this month.

There are now less than two weeks to go before Ilminster’s festive lights are illuminated at 7pm on Friday, November 27, as part of the Victorian Evening.

People in Ilminster and surrounding area are being reminded that there is a raffle to find the person who will be able to flick the switch and officially declare the countdown to Christmas well and truly on in the town.

Those wanting to enter the raffle can do so by visiting Cottage Flowers in East Street, Harriman’s Menswear, Ilminster Hardware or Bonner's the Butchers in Silver Street and at the Surgery in Canal Way and the winner will be selected on Thursday, November 26. A donation of £1 goes towards the Victorian Night and Christmas Lights Committees.

The festive lights are going up in Ilminster and this year they will be even better than ever. The Market House will be transformed and there will be several new installations around town – with every light being LED to ensure that the display is eco-friendly.

Things get off to a flying start of during the day on Friday, November 27, when there will be children's choirs from six local schools singing Christmas songs and carols in the Market House starting with Neroche School at 10am, followed by Greenfylde at 11am, Hambridge at 1.30pm, the Ilton unit of St Mary and St Peter’s Primary School at 2.15pm, Swanmead at 3pm and ending with East Coker at 4pm.

A lantern parade will be spectacular with the town crier Andrew Fox leading the parade followed by Father Christmas in his brand new eco-Santa-Sleigh. After this the entrants in the Victorian fancy dress costume competition will lead the children's lantern parade with for the first time large-scale lanterns bringing up the rear.

An event organiser said: “We are expecting over 120 people in the parade which starts at 6.30pm from Greenfylde School - so do come down a bit early to enjoy it as it travels along Silver Street to the Market Square.

“Please note that because there are so many children involved with the parade we will be roping off a space in front of the switch-on stage for them. This way we can be sure that the children are safely in an area for their parents to find them. And we reckon they deserve a good spot for all the effort that went into making their costumes.”

Winner of the Victorian fancy dress competition will receive £50 in vouchers for spending in Ilminster shops. The competition is open to all ages, individuals, pairs, groups, children, grandparents, whoever.

Just roll up to Greenfylde School’s Silver Street entrance before 6.15pm on the night to collect a number and they will be judged before 6.30pm. The winner will be announced after the lights switch-on.