PLANS are well underway for a weekend event that will light up Purfleet-on-Thames for Christmas - and residents will get an extra week than in previous years to enjoy the spectacle.

The town's Community Forum has been the driving force behind the lights, brining forward the usual start time to this Saturday (27 November) to bring an extra bit of Christmas cheer.

The lights will be switched on at a celebration event by the Children's Centre adjacent to the Garrison estate, right on the Thames riverside. There will be carols during the event, which starts at 4pm, and an appeal has gone out for more singers to go along and join in the fun. You can contact the forum via email on chair,[email protected] if you want to find out more.

Refreshments will be available at the switch-on event.