THEA Dawson and Hannah Tucker will be Cinderella's little helpers on Saturday when they help her switch on Calne's Christmas lights.

The girls, aged seven and eight, who are both pupils at St Edmund's School, won their chance by entering a poster competition.

Calne Town Council invited primary schoolchildren to draw or paint something which illustrated Christmas in Calne 2001.

The town's community development officer Mark Wilkins said judges had a tough job picking the winner because all the entries were of such a high standard.

"Now they will get to travel in the coach with Cinderella when she comes to switch on the lights which is probably every little girl's dream."

Mr Wilkins said the town council preferred to have local children win the honour of helping switch the lights on, rather than draft in a celebrity. "Christmas is all about children really," he said. "This year's switch-on event has lots of things going on for the youngsters."

St Edmund's headteacher Paul Blake said: "Naturally we are very proud both winners came from our school.

Saturday's event starts at 4pm with the actual lights switch on at 6pm.