A HEREFORDSHIRE town's Christmas celebrations are well underway this weekend as they host their late-night shopping event and Christmas lights switch-on.

Ledbury's independent shops will open until 8pm tonight (December 3), joined by many other Christmas attractions, activities, and discounts.

There will be carols sung by the Pick & Mix choir, festive drinks, and a craft stall.

Roast chestnuts and other festive treats, a charity mistletoe sale, carol singing and, an appearance by Father Christmas will also be on offer throughout the town.

Most shops in Ledbury will be involved.

A spokesperson from homemade chocolate shop and tearoom Choccotastic said they have not seen a shop in town that is not participating in the event, which promises a great night of independent Christmas shopping.

It is more important than ever to support local as 2021 has been a very uncertain year for small businesses.

If everyone spent £1 locally it would secure the future for our beautiful and unique town, said the spokesperson.

Council-run parking throughout the town will be free all day.

Admission is free and card payments are accepted.

The Christmas lights switch on will take place on Saturday, December 4, as a part of a full day of festive activities.

Christmas carols will be sung under the Market House with the community brass band followed by the lights switch on at 6pm.

The lights have currently not been put up in Ledbury ready for the switch on.

Responding to a post on the Voice of Ledbury's Facebook, councillor Phillip Howells said: "The contractor had to cancel a number of planned installations because of Storm Arwen. They are catching up and I understand they are due up today (Decemeber 2). The lights are planned to be switched-on on Saturday afternoon, which is the day after the late night shopping of course."