BRIGHTON is set to get into the Christmas spirit as it prepares to turn on its Christmas lights.

Lights inspired by street art are set to brighten up North Street and Western Road.

While lights celebrating the uniqueness of North Laine will sparkle in Bond Street, Gardner Street and Kensington Gardens.

More traditional lighting will give a festive feeling to The Lanes, East Street, Preston Street and the Clock Tower.

The free switch-on event, starting at 4.30 this evening, will be hosted by BBC Radio Sussex's Allison Ferns.

It will feature Christmas hits performed by swing group Hit the Silk, the angelic voices of The Theatre Workshop's choir and up-and-coming bands from Greater Brighton Metropolitan College.

Allison and Carl Tracey - from the band Go!Go!Go! - will do the all important countdown to switch the lights on and welcome Christmas to the city centre.

There will also be a raffle with fantastic prizes from Brighton businesses, with donations going to Chestnut Tree House children's hospice.

Gavin Stewart, CEO of event organisers Brilliant Brighton, said: "We’re so excited to be hosting a switch-on event again. We hope that it will help get the community into the festive spirit, and celebrate our brand new lighting scheme – a gift to the city centre from our 517 retail, leisure and hospitality businesses."

The Christmas light switch-on event is the first since the start of the pandemic last year.

Acting executive editor at BBC Radio Sussex Mark Carter said: "We know only too well the impact the pandemic had on so many people last year, so an event like this is a long-awaited moment to finally add some festive cheer."

The lights are expected to be switched on across Brighton at around 5.50pm.

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