CHRISTMAS comes to Atherton with a festive glow providing a welcoming warmth to the town when the decorative lights are switched on this week.

The Friday, November 25 switch-on is on the eve of a Christmas market extravaganza which is sure to bring crowds flocking for a day of music, fun and entertainment for all the family which will also boost a deserving charity.

This year's event will run between 11am and 3pm when a special market is being held with variety of stalls selling goods including mulled wine, mince pies, crafts cards and gifts.

There will be free face painting and a free children's carousel ride for the youngsters to enjoy as they run rings round Frosty the snowman.

Father Christmas will be making an early visit and will present the prizes to the winners of the children's Christmas card competition, which is open to all primary schools in Atherton. All winning entries will be on display in the church hall, which will be open for the duration of the event serving refreshments.

Town centre businesses will be arranging their own seasonal displays with trees and lights and to add to the festive theme and this year some of them will be running a competition for their customers with a variety of prizes on offer.

The competition will take place in the run up to Christmas. The idea is that each business taking part puts a letter of the alphabet in their shop window and then the rest is up to the public to write down which letters are in which windows and once all letters collected rearrange them to form the name of a festive favourite.

TYLDESLEY'S Christmas lights will be turned on in the main street on Friday, November 25 providing a welcoming glow to the town.

And Tyldesley shopkeepers are boosting the festive feel with their own festive displays with their own illuminations and Christmas trees.

Christmas celebration begin on Saturday, November 26 with a Christmas Fair at the Scout headquarters next to the Police station in Shuttle Street.

The fun begins at 10am and runs through until 1pm with attractions including Santa in his grotto. There's tombola for those who fancy chancing their luck in the draw and hot and cold refreshments to keep winter at bay.

The Parish Church of St George will be packed on the evening of Wednesday, December 14 when a Community Carol Service is being staged from 7pm. This is a joint venture featuring local schools and organised by The Rotary Club of Tyldesley in conjunction with Tyldesley Churches Together.

And on Sunday, December 18 St George's Church is the venue for a carol and crib service which starts at 6pm.

Midnight Mass will be celebrated in St George's Church at 11.30pm on December 24 and on Christmas Day holy communion will be held from 9.30am.