The lights are going up all over Penryn and soon crowds will gather in the town centre for the annual Christmas switch-on.

Rynners young and old will come together on Saturday, December 3, to enjoy carols and Christmas cheer, before the switch is flicked for the start of the illuminations.

The event will start with a lantern parade led by the mayor and mock mayor, which will gather at the Memorial Gardens at 6.15, before heading to the Methodist Chapel for 6.30pm.

Once there Kathy Wells, a senior citizen of the town and this year's chosen guest, will switch on the lights.

There will be music as Porthleven Silver Band and the children of Penryn Primary Academy lead the public in festive carols, while in the street, the Town Hall and the chapel there will be singing from the Suitcase Singers community choir, Viva Voce, a choir from the university, and Jazz Harbour, also from the university.

There will also be a performance from Penryn dance group Co-Act, near the Town Hall.

The children will be able to enjoy activities in the Temperance Hall from 4pm-5.50pm, as well as visiting Father Christmas in his Grotto with Olaf and Elsa, which will be open all the following week at Tanya’s Courage charity shop.

Following the switch on there will be mulled wine in the Town Hall and refreshments in the chapel, and at 8pm there will be a parade back down to the Memorial Garden’s where there will be 18 decorated Christmas trees.

The trees are being lit up, one for each person who lost their life in a bombing raid during World War Two.

As well as the special activities, there will be stall in the street and shops will be open offering food and festive treats, including this year's Christmas pop-up near Fish Cross, and the chance to check out the Christmas window entries and the garden light competition.

Councillor Mary May said: "What is stopping you, come on down."

This year's lights will build on the success of last year's crowdfunding appeal to renew the town's display, and mayor Mark Snowdon said: "We are also lighting up the three large trees in The Square for the first time too and we have no fewer than forty-six Christmas trees in total through the town to decorate and light up."

The switch on will be followed on Sunday, December 4, by the Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert in the chapel with a 6.30pm start, which will include Penryn College Choir, Mabe Ladies, The Chorus, Camborne Youth Band and a surprise singer.