Preparations for Melksham’s famous Christmas lights are well underway with organiser Paul Weymouth so determined to make it better than ever he has dedicated two months to the decorations.

With more than 250,000 bulbs, kilometres of electricity cable and the introduction of new animated lights, he certainly will not disappoint.

The switch-on will take place at the Assembly Hall, in Market Place, on Saturday, December 5 at 5pm, with the festive fun day starting at 2pm with a grotto, stalls, a ride-on train and live music before the main event.

Mr Weymouth, 35, along with his team of 10 volunteers are beavering away doing 15 hour shifts to make the lights as special as possible. He said: “We are looking forward to it. It is a big busy time. Melksham is the one we try to make sure is as good as possible.

“The amount of stuff we have had to put up is colossal but in the end it is a nice feeling when it all works and the stress goes and it all happens. Melksham comes to a standstill when the lights are turned on.

“The lights will be bigger and better. We have been working on it and have worked all year to improve them. It is going to be particularly spectacular.”

The Decibels, who include two members of the Military Wives, will be singing carols during the night.

Mr Weymouth added: “It will cover the whole town centre. We push the boundaries of what we can do.

“We are using special animation pictures, the latest stages in lighting. We can control the lights and we are hoping to bring it to life a bit more.”