Ref. 27992-11Last year's Christmas lights switch onCHRISTMAS is coming early to Swindon this year some seven weeks early.

The festive season kicks off in the town centre tomorrow with the switch-on of the Christmas lights and a craft fair.

There is also a Christmas Continental market this weekend and Santa will arrive in his grotto a week later.

The shopping starts tomorrow when Swindon's first Christmas gift market comes to town.

The craft fair will be in Canal Walk from 10.30am to 9.30pm and again on Thursday, November 11.

Top West Country traders, including the famous Bristol Blue Glass company, have stalls,

There will also be a selection of food, crafts, jewellery and a wide range of other gifts. Shoppers can then go to the canopy at Deben-hams at 7pm to see the Christmas lights switched on by Juliette Kaplan, the star of this year's Wyvern pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk.

Juliette, who plays Pearl in Last Of The Summer Wine, will be joined by the Skywalkers and their stunning pyrotechnics display.

The Advertiser's mascot, Alfie, will also be in the town centre for the event.

Town centre manager Bernie Maguire said: "I am delighted that the first Christmas craft fair has come to Swindon.

"There will be plenty of opportunities to buy some early Christmas presents and then watch the Christmas lights being switched on."

There will also be art on the streets of Swindon as the town's first Imaging Festival kicks off tomorrow.

Art In The Street will give visitors the chance to experience the work of the region's most innovative photographers and digital artists, as well as the sights and sounds of the best video jockeys around.

The festival is launched between 5pm and 8pm at the Apartment and around Havelock Square with a balloon launch at 7pm.

And Bruno's French and Continental Market will be in the town centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Santa arrives at the Brunel Centre on Saturday, November 13.

Santa will be in his grotto in the lower arcade outside House Of Fraser until the early afternoon on Christmas Eve and youngsters are welcome to visit him any day of the week.

For detailed opening times visit westfield.com/brunel or check at the customer relations desk on the upper plaza.

The Jubilee Clock in the town centre will be festooned with lights and will chime Christmas tunes every half hour.

There will also be music and entertainment in the town centre throughout December up to Christmas Eve.

Isabel Field