CHRISTMAS will officially arrive in Salisbury this Thursday, with a fun-packed evening of festive celebrations and fireworks as the city switches on its Christmas lights display.

The running of the event has been left for the first time this year to Salisbury City Management, which commissioned local firm Midas Prosound to put together a programme of fresh ideas.

Between them, they are promising an extravaganza that will be the city's best light display yet.

Fun starts at 4pm with a new attraction - a synthetic ice-skating rink in the Market Square, that will remain open until 9pm.

The evening's events continue at 6pm with the traditional lights ceremony carol service at the cathedral, after which all the action switches back to the Market and Guildhall Squares.

There, on a huge screen - yet another new attraction - there will be a showing of the film The Snowman, while the crowds are entertained by jugglers, fireeaters, characters from this year's Salisbury Playhouse pantomime Aladdin and songs from the Rachel Sinnetta trio.

The big screen will also be used to show the arrival in the Market Place of Santa Claus and the switching-on of the illuminations - ensuring everyone has a view of the proceedings.

Santa and helpers are due to arrive shortly before 7.30pm, with sacks full of sweet for the children.

Shops in the city will remain open until 9pm.

There will be similar late-night shopping hours, together with more street entertainment, on the next four Thursdays leading up to Christmas.