Don’t forget this weekend will see the switching-on of the Sheerness Christmas lights.

Will Palin and his wife Heloise will be doing the honours.

The pair from Naval Terrace, Blue Town, will flick the switch with Sheppey Snow Queens, Hannah Thompson and Katie-Ann Goodsell.

Illuminations are already in position for this year’s ceremony which takes place from 4pm at the clock tower on Saturday.

Mr Palin, conservation director at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, is a leading figure in the campaign to restore Sheerness Dockyard Church.

He is also a patron of Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure (SEAL), the group which installed and part-funded the illuminations.

Speaking last week, SEAL chairman Chris Foulds said: “Will said he would be honoured to carry out the switch-on – he’s a huge supporter of the Island. We’ve tested the lights, which are all new, and they looked absolutely fantastic.

“As well as a starburst at the Clocktower, lights will be put up along the High Street, and for the first time in a number of years, the Broadway.”

Mr Foulds also wants to thank three borough councillors who have contributed towards the lights’ fund from their members’ grants.

Cllr David Sargent (Lab), donated £500 and Mark Ellen (Lab) and June Garrad (Con) gave £100 each.

Following the switch-on, a lantern parade and Christmas market is being held in the High Street on Saturday, December 13.

It takes place from 10am to 8pm with a number of festive-themed stalls expected in the town centre.

The parade, which is organised by Big Fish Arts, the Sheerness drama group, starts at 4.30pm.

A week before the parade, on Saturday December 6, a workshop is being held at the old council offices in Trinity Road where parents and children can make their own lanterns.