ONE of the year's landmark events in Tilbury has been significantly downgrounded in response to Covid-19, with many parents in the town expressing disappointment at the decision on social media.

The Tilbury Riverside Project have been adding sparkle to Tilbury for more than 20 years and normally the lights switch on is accompanied by Father Christmas arriving by vintage steam engine, singing and entertainment on a stage in the Civic Square and a fun fair and community stalls around the streets.

However, this year's switch on ceremony has been cancelled. The event, which didn't go ahead last year because of lockdown, was scheduled to return on Friday, 3 December but while Santa will still be in his grotto at Elite Dance from 3.30pm, there will be no official event in the town and the lights will just be switched on without ceremony at 4pm.