Cirencester’s annual Advent Festival marks the beginning of the festive season in the town.

The event will this year take place on Saturday 30th November, and will include a Christmas market, fireworks and the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights.

This year the honour of turning on the lights will go to Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison, who grew up near the town.

Harrison, a former pupil at Sir William Romney’s School in Tetbury, is also the President of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who have been working in partnership with Cirencester Town Council on local green space projects.

Community Services Manager at Cirencester Town Council, Becky Coles said: “Having Ellie to switch on the lights helps celebrate the hard work that Cirencester Town Council, and its band of willing volunteers, have done to make our award winning parks and green spaces so fantastic.”

The festival runs from 11am to 7pm and will also mark the beginning of a series of Christmas markets in the town, running from Sunday 1st to Sunday 8th December.

Becky added: “We would like to thank the local businesses who have sponsored the event this year, enabling our small team to go that extra mile to bring more diversity and excitement to this annual event.

“The Advent Market has expanded into Brewery Court and Father Christmas will be telling his festive yarns in our free Children’s Craft area in Bishops Walk. Without giving too much away, we also have a number of extra surprises that we hope the people of Cirencester will enjoy.”

Further information about the event, sponsorship and the road closures can be found on the Town Council’s website www.cirencester.gov.uk and social media pages (Facebook @CirencesterTC and Twitter @CirenTC)