EXCITEMENT is building....as Carlisle is due to be lit up later today meaning the official countdown to Christmas is on.

Pop star Aston Merrygold will headline this year's event.

A former member of the British Boy Band JLS - runners up on the fifth series of The X Factor - Aston has had success in both music and television, most recently appearing in the 2017 line up of Strictly Come Dancing.

He has recently visited Carlisle as part of the Rip It Up... The 60s! nation-wide tour which also starred Strictly Come Dancing champions Harry Judd and Louis Smith.

On the build up to Aston’s performance, the celebrity line-up with include the DMU Gospel Choir: semi-finalists in ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent 2018 and Finalists in Gareth Malone’s The Choir: Gareth’s Best of Britain.

Local dance groups and school choirs will join celebrity acts at this year’s event, hosted by sought-after musical comedian Jonny Awsum.

The switch-on event will also be a showcase of local community groups and performers including Belle Vue Primary School, Razzamataz and Carlisle Dance Academy.

The star-studded Christmas Lights Switch On stage will be in place in the city centre pedestrianised area, outside the Old Town Hall, between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

Organised by Carlisle City Council, it will provide a packed family entertainment programme, to suit all ages.

The Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor Jessica Riddle, will trigger a galaxy of brand new Christmas lights in the city centre at 5pm.

Colin Glover, council leader, said: “Our festive programme will soon get underway and the Lights Switch-On event is the countdown to Christmas.

“Come along and enjoy a free afternoon of family fun.”

Meanwhile, Carlisle is set to sparkle with a special visit from Santa this year. He will be in his grotto in The Lanes Shopping Centre every Saturday and Sunday in December from 11am to 3pm.

The centre is supporting CFM’S Mission Christmas Appeal.

A minimum donation of £3 is requested.Visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk