BOSCOMBE is gearing up for the start of its Christmas celebrations later this month.

The festivities will begin with a Christmas Celebration around the Tree on Saturday, November 17, with Christmas lights around Boscombe precinct and on the tree being switched-on at 2.45pm.

The 15-metre tree will be the tallest in the Bournemouth coastal area and will feature thousands of lights and 30 individually-designed gift boxes inspired by the drawings of local children.

‘Local hero’ Cindy Jermon will switch on the lights and will be joined by Bournemouth Mayor, councillor Derek Borthwick.

Cindy, 83, has been raising money for the PDSA since 1990 after the charity saved her cat following a terrible accident.

Over the past 28 years, Cindy has raised thousands of pounds for the charity and is the long-standing chairman of the local branch.

She has also run the Boscombe Christmas Parade for more than 20 years which this year will take place on December 1.

Cindy said: “It’s an honour to be asked to switch on Boscombe’s Christmas lights. There’s always a great atmosphere once the lights are on. It gets everyone in the Christmas mood! I’m just proud and excited to be the one setting it all going.”

Bournemouth’s Coastal BID is one of the main supporters and organisers of Boscombe’s festivities.

Chairman Paul Clarke said: “Boscombe’s Christmas Celebration around the Tree is such a special, joyous event and will bring a lovely festive feel to our weekly market.

“I think all of us at Coastal BID really look forward to it. It brings the whole community together and attracts many more people into the town. We have so many really innovative, interesting and independent businesses in Boscombe. This is a great opportunity to shine a light on them - in every sense of the word!”

Other activities taking place in Boscombe in the run-up to Christmas include a Santa’s grotto, Christmas Cavern in the Sovereign Centre and a continental-themed Christmas celebration featuring traditional foods, arts and crafts from Hungary, Poland, Estonia and Latvia in recognition of Boscombe's diverse community.