SCENES reminiscent of the Victorian era will greet visitors to Wootton Bassett tomorrow.

The town's annual Dickensian evening is being held to get people in the festive mood.

Visitors will be able to witness the Christmas lights being switched on and there will be a carol concert at 7pm outside the town hall.

The shops will be open late and the streets will be lined with a variety of stalls selling crafts and gift items.

An escapology act, fire-eaters and crazy waiters will be performing street theatre

And John Currie's jazz band will be playing throughout the evening.

For those feeling hungry there will also be be a host of culinary delights on offer, including mince pies, mulled wine, a barbecue and a hog roast

Youngsters can pay a visit to Santa's grotto, which will be based in the Happy Ever After toyshop, in Boroughfields Shopping Centre.

Santa's pixies will be entertaining shoppers, as well as handing out goodies.

And the event is not just for Wootton Bassett residents.

Town clerk Johnathan Bourne wants people from the surrounding area to come along and join in the fun.

"We hope the event will attract visitors into the town and that they have a good time and see what have to offer," he said. "We have an incredible range of shops.

"People who do not live here, and even some who do, don't realise what there is and an evening like this will give them an opportunity to have a good look around."

Mr Bourne is encouraging everyone to enter into the spirit of the event by dressing up in Victorian costume.

The event starts at 6.15pm and the High Street will be closed to traffic.

Wootton Bassett Rotarians will launch their Tree Of Life project at the Victorian evening.

People can remember loved ones by writing a small, colourful card which will be hung on one of the Christmas trees outside the town hall, in exchange for a donation. Money raised will go to Rotary charities.

Cards are available from Wootton Bassett post office, Butfield estate agents, Ridgeway estate agents, the town council offices, Ashley Vaughan Partnership, Sedgwick Shoes and Peacocks.