CHRISTMAS lights will be switched by Winsford mayor - on his own.

Mayor Cllr Don Beckett with press the button to light up the town at 4pm on Friday, November 27 but no-one is allowed to see the ceremony due to Covid restrictions.

Last year hundreds of people watched TV panto stars switch on the lights which launched the usual Christmas Street Festival, which has also been cancelled.

This week's small ceremony will be filmed live and shown on Facebook.

The mayor, Cllr Beckett said: "I’m very happy to be switching on the Christmas lights but I’m also very sad that there won’t be anyone there to witness it.

“Due to the pandemic we have been unable to hold our usual event and that is a real shame.

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Northwich Guardian:

Winsford mayor Cllr Don Beckett sad that there won't be anyone to see him switch on the Christmas lights

“At this point, we would normally be planning the event, getting everything ready and preparing to welcome hundreds of Winsford residents to kick off the Christmas period.

"To not be able to do that and for everyone to enjoy the switch on is almost too much to bear. We can only hope that next year will see things back to normal."

The town’s Christmas lights will be in their usual position along High Street, Dene Drive and Wharton Hill.

The Town Council has also invested in some new lights and will be installing lights in additional locations in the town as well as extra bulbs on the town’s Christmas tree.

Town clerk Mark Bailey said: "Being able to have the lights in place is one of the few normal things we have been able to do this year.

"We ask that people keep away from the switch on this Friday but we hope that they will enjoy the lights over the festive period. We would like to pay special tribute to our contractors, the Christmas Decorators in Knutsford, who have done their usual great work during very difficult and trying times."