Leominster is saving money this year by opting out of the custom of spending thousands of pounds to get a celebrity to switch on the Christmas lights.

Instead a 'home-made star' will be named as Celebrity of the Day. He, or she, will be invited to switch on the lights at 5pm in Corn Square on Saturday (December 1).

Mayor Patricia Thomas said a whole afternoon of fun was lined up including live bands, a pig roast and a visit from Santa Claus.

Mrs Thomas said there was still time today, Thursday, for local people to get competition forms from the Tourist Information Centre. The questions are about window displays in local shops. The winner will named as the celebrity for the big switch-on.

l The town's highly popular Victorian Christmas Street Market follows next week, on December 8.