BUMPER crowds are expected for the Christmas lights switch-on events in Swanage and Corfe Castle tonight.

Cllr Cherry Bartlett will be turning on the lights in Swanage town centre, at 4.30pm, in an event that will see shops opening later for Christmas shopping.

A number of pubs will also be putting on live music later in the evening.

Swanage Chamber of Trade and Commerce’s Gary Parslow said: “Many shops will be offering special deals on the day and hopefully after the big switch-on people will have time to visit some of our unique independent shops.”

Meanwhile, across Purbeck at Corfe Castle, villagers will be enjoying their Christmas lights switch-on event at 5pm in the main square.

This will be proceeded by a Christmas fair, boasting a host of stallholders, refreshments and other attractions.

This year former village Christmas festivities committee chairman Mary Rose Bray will be switching on the lights Committee member Liz Spicer-Short explained: “The committee started in 1953, so 2014 is the 62nd consecutive year that the lights will be going up.

“It is entirely made up of villagers who have made the most of the features and who put up the lights each year.”