IT'S Bishops Castle Christmas Lights Festival this Saturday, December 7. and Father Christmas promises to be in his grotto from 4pm to 8pm to give out presents to boys and girls.

The grotto is in the garden of the Castle Hotel and Stewart Evans from Mainstone said it is the 20th year he has created the magical Christmas attraction for everyone to enjoy.

It costs £5 for a child to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift, while accompanying adults can make a donation.

The fun weekend begins tonight Friday, with a Christmas bingo night at the SpArC Theatre in aid of the SpArC Centre.

A book of tickets for 10 games costs £12, with six cards a game and amazing prizes on offer, as well as lucky squares and a raffle. Eyes down is at 8pm and doors open at 7pm.

Gill Medlicott has also organised a 1990s theme disco in the Three Tuns on Friday, starting at

8pm, in aid of the Community College and Christmas Lights funds.

Saturday morning starts with Liz Still leading a free workshop in the Methodist Hall from 10am to 12noon when you can come along to decorate your umbrella, your bike, your shopping trolley or whatever you want with LED lights and Christmas decorations.

The umbrellas were a great success in last year's Christmas Lights procession and Liz hopes for even more inventive ideas this time. LED lights are on sale in Gwyther's shop.

During the afternoon there are many other attractions in the town including a craft fair in the church, a flea market in the town hall, fun fair games, Bishops Castle Orchestra and a turkey roast in the Square.

At around 5pm people will begin to assemble by the Six Bells for a procession up the street to the town hall ready for Father Christmas to switch on the lights at 6pm, accompanied by the Mayor and the town crier.

Then look out for the fireworks, the steam engines, the Turkish puppet theatre and more music n the local pubs.