Ottery set for festive shopping and lights extravaganza

OTTERY will kick off the festive season with its late-night shopping and Christmas lights switch-on extravaganza tomorrow.

The fun begins in the morning from 10am to 3pm with a Christmas Market in The Institute.

A torchlight procession will leave the church at 5.30pm, and will be led by town crier Dave Retter, with the church choir, Father Christmas, pirates and contestants from the children's fancy dress competition all following.

The big lights switch-on at 6pm at the Old Convent will be performed by Exeter FM DJ Colin Slade with the help of Ottery's Carnival royalty.

Popular Roland Sanders will compere the event and Ottery's Silver Band will play around the town. Morris Dancers will also dance in the streets.

"We are really looking forward to it," said chamber of commerce chairman Viv Abbott. "The event has grown year on year and the last one was a fantastic success with the volumes of people that came, it really exceeded our expectations."

Businesses get a boost from the event and will stay open until 8pm, offering a range of fun and special discounts.

In Abbotts in Jesu Street, children are invited to take part in a free treasure hunt. This year the Herald can reveal the Abbott family will be living up to their names by dressing up as monks and clergy.

Other highlights will include wood carving in the Pine Shop, special make-overs in Cutting Edge and guess the weight of the turkey in K & M Butchers, as well as a special cake and promotions in the Millstone Bakery.