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Countdown to Christmas

Betty Anderson
15/11/2006

THE COUNTDOWN to Christmas in Wilmslow has begun with the festive lights ready to be sparked on Saturday, November 18.

And it is certain to be a family affair with a fabulous programme of entertainment as Grove Street springs into life with lights ablaze for the season of goodwill.

There will be music, singing and dancing in the street to ring in the festive cheer - and Santa is on his way.

In the spotlight this year for the celebrity switch on is tv soap favourite, Michael Le Vell, who takes a break from his role as Kevin Webster in Coronation Street to step on to the podium.

He will share the honour with Waitrose employee Tony Chester, who is the lucky winner of Wilmslow Business Group's silent auction to be at the very heart of the celebrations.

Tony, who works on the fruit and veg counter at Waitrose, will step into the limelight with his two daughters, Rebecca, 10, and Danielle 12, by his side.

He won a supermarket sweep run by Waitrose which put in the highest bid. All proceeds from the auction will go to Francis House children's hospice and Wilmslow Round Table.

The lights will be switched on at 4pm following an afternoon of family fun which starts at 2pm with a floral demonstration followed by a session from Ashdene Primary School choir with a selection of Christmas music.

Later there will be more sparkle as a Champagne expert shares his tips on buying and sipping the best bubbly of the season and childrens entertainers will be mingling with the crowds performing magic tricks and balloon modelling.

Santa is expected to arrive on his sleigh at around 4pm.

Tracey Bye, spokesman for Wilmslow Business Group, said: "This should be a great family day out for all the family and we really hope the community will turn out to support it. We are keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather but the show will go on whatever."

• LOOK out for the Wilmslow Express photographer and pick up next week's copy to see published pictures.