CHRISTMAS Day might still be more than six weeks away, but the lights will start to go on across Herefordshire next week.

Each town is responsible for its own Christmas lights, and this year some are not going ahead with their traditional ceremonies due to coronavirus.

Hereford, for example, will not hold a switch-on event, and Ross-on-Wye is also following suit.

Here are the arrangements across Herefordshire.

Hereford

Hereford City Council said the lights will be switched on gradually om Sunday, November 21, due to Covid.

It said it wanted to keep everyone safe, with "huge numbers" expected to attend the event if it went ahead.

Clerk Steve Kerry said the council wanted to make sure people were safe, and did not want to encourage a large gathering.

Mr Kerry said: "Our priority is to ensure the public are kept safe and not encourage large gatherings.

"Councillors have taken the difficult decision to simply switch the lights on given the huge numbers we would normally see for this event.

"In future years we look forward to returning to a more traditional Christmas switch on – but for now, the public can still enjoy the stunning displays the city council has invested in."

The Old Market will follow a similar plan with their lights going on the same day.

Ledbury

In Ledbury, the town's Christmas is set to launch on Saturday, December 4.

The event at the Market House will run from 9am to 6.30pm with the lights being switched on at 6pm. There will be a brass band, choir, food stands and market stalls.

Santa will take up residence at Top Cross Shop with his elves, gifts and mince pies from 11am to 6pm every Saturday in December — with the exception of Saturday, December 25, when he will be taking a well-earned rest.

To avoid disappointment, slots should be booked by calling into the shop or texting 07562 359037. There is no charge, but any donations will be shared between the town's charity shops.

Bromyard

Bromyard's Christmas Lights Association has confirmed that their big day will be on Saturday, November 20.

From 5.15pm there will be carols in the square following the arrival of a lantern parade.

Townsfolk will carry decorated lanterns from the Conquest Theatre to the Hop Pole Square to the beat of drums. Lantern kits are available from the main Co-op store. Participants should gather at the theatre from 4pm for a 5pm departure.

Meanwhile, Santa will be in his grotto at the Falcon Mews from 11am-5pm. Timed slots at £5 per child can be booked via the theatre.

Hay-on-Wye

BAFTA award-winning actress Miriam Margolyes is to switch on Hay-on-Wye's Christmas lights during the town's winter festival.

The Harry Potter actress, known for playing Professor Sprout, will make her appearance on November 26, when she will also talk about her new memoir This Much Is True.

Carol singing will accompany the free switch-on event, which will take place between 5pm and 7pm in The Cheese Market.

Margolyes, also famed for her role in The Age Of Innocence – for which she won best supporting actress at the Baftas – will be joined on stage by broadcaster and classicist Natalie Haynes to talk about her book, which tells of her extraordinary life to date.

Ross-on-Wye

More than 50 stalls selling locally handmade arts and crafts plus artisan food and drink will be available at a Christmas Fayre in Ross-on-Wye later this month.

Ross-on-Wye Christmas Fayre will take place in Broad Street and Croft Court on Sunday, November 21.

During the afternoon there will be live music at the Market House from local choirs and bands.

For the little ones, Santa's Grotto will be at The Venue on Hill Street, where there will also be an array of charity stalls with gift ideas.

To ensure crowd safety, there will not be an official Christmas lights switch-on.

Additional Covid-19 secure measures will also be in place, and the town council are advising people to continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask and use the hand sanitisers at the stations provided.

Anyone attending the fayre is asked to conduct a lateral flow test beforehand, and if testing positive or displaying any symptoms of coronavirus or norovirus, they are asked not to attend.

Leominster

Leominster Town Council said in order to keep people safe, it wouldn't be holding its usual Christmas light switch-on event.

A spokesperson said the council did not want to encourage everyone to meet in one place at one time, and instead its contractor would switch the lights on without fanfare.

It would, however, be holding its annual Victorian street market in the town centre on Saturday, December 11.

Taking place in Corn Square and Broad Street, there will be many different stalls selling a range of items.

Free parking will be available in council-run car parks, the spokesperson said.

Kington

Kington Town Council was unable to confirm its arrangements, saying it was likely councillors would discuss any switch-on event at a meeting next week.