GLASTONBURY Festival founder Michael Eavis is switching on Trowbridge’s Christmas lights this year in a huge coup for the town, with the event expected to be the biggest one yet.

Mr Eavis, who set up the festival on his farm in Somerset in 1970, will switch on the lights in Fore Street, on November 29, after taking part in the lantern procession in the town’s park.

Maryrose Mantle, Trowbridge Town Council’s community development officer, said: “It’s a big name for this year’s lights switch on and it’s really nice of Michael Eavis to agree to come.

“He will come up to see the lantern procession from the Civic Centre through the park to the illuminated sensory garden and then everyone will head to the stage in Fore Street for the switch on.”

Mr Eavis was initially due to come to the town to launch two fundraising appeals for the Trowbridge branch of the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group, which is raising funds for a Positron Scanner for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

He will visit Castle Place Shopping Centre to launch its Enchanted Tree, which will allow shoppers to write a wish on a blue butterfly and hang it on the tree.

Tino Polledri, chairman of the Trowbridge branch of the BCUSG, said: “Castle Place and The Shires do fundraising activities for us at Christmas and we wanted a big name to draw people in.

“The people of Trowbridge are normally very generous and the aim is to help the appeal reach £1m by Christmas.”

Julie Davis, manager of the Castle Place Shopping Centre, said: “It’s a great pleasure to have Michael Eavis come and put the first butterfly on our wishing tree. Last year, we raised £2,724 for the appeal.”

Shires centre manager Sarah-Louise Moore said: “He will switch on the lights on our 40ft Christmas tree and launch our Christmas grotto made out of balloons.”

“Last year, we raised over £1,000 for the Positron Scanner and we hope to build on that. Talented balloon modeller Dave Hickory will be creating our grotto.”