FOLLOWING on from the success of Saturday s Christmas lights switch on, Sidmouth traders are eagerly planning a bumper late-night shopping extravaganza for Friday, December 4.

FOLLOWING on from the success of Saturday's Christmas lights switch on, Sidmouth traders are eagerly planning a bumper late-night shopping extravaganza for Friday, December 4.

Music will begin in earnest at 6pm with carol singing on the market steps by pupils at All Saint Infants School, and it is hoped Sidmouth Town Band can begin earlier than its planned 7-7.30pm slot there.

There will be roaming carol singers in the town from 6.30pm to 8pm and Sidmouth College Music department will play from 6-7.30pm near the Masonic Lodge, High Street.

The Salvation Army will accompany singers at Sidmouth Methodist Church until 7.30pm and it is hoped St Nicholas Junior School's music department will perform from 7-7.30pm on the market steps.

Many attractions have been organised by Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce for the evening, including the arrival of Father Christmas in his sleigh, courtesy of Sidmouth Lions Club at 6.20pm.

While a hog roast will be set up at Market Place from 5-8pm, 1st Sid Vale Explorers (Scouts) will sell hot roasted chestnuts in Church Street.

There will be more shops than usual opening until 8pm on the night, including Fields of Sidmouth, which joined in the event for the first time last year.

The Snow Queen on stilts will be among entertainment on offer, having cancelled her appearance on Saturday because of stormy weather.

Donkeys from Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary will be in town during the evening and artist Coco Hodgkinson and helpers will run street art, pavement chalk drawings, paint a snowman stone and make gift wrapping events outside the Co-Operative store, with a stall run by Sidmouth College Enterprise students nearby.

For face painting visit Church Street.

Sidmouth Museum will also be open from 2pm to 8pm on the day for the sale of gifts as well as allowing visitors the chance to see exhibitions and costumes and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies.