Santa Claus is coming to town!

Santa’s Grotto, the lights switch-on and fireworks will all feature at the event which kicks-off tomorrow at 9am.

Organised by the Spenborough Chamber of Trade, volunteers have worked all year round to make sure the extravaganza is their best yet.

Chamber chairwoman Viv Laycock said: “It is the event of Cleckheaton’s calendar. The response from the community wanting to get involved has been fabulous.”

The town’s traders are to man many of the 46 stalls which will line Albion Street and Cheapside, selling food, crafts and trinkets from 9am to 7pm. From noon, there will be a funfair in Horncastle Street near the market with family-friendly rides.

Entertainment, including routines from Elaine Howarth’s Centre Stage dancers, Cleckheaton Community Choir and school groups, starts at 2pm at the former Savoy site opposite the town hall.

Santa Claus will hear children’s wish lists in the same location from 2pm-5pm, and again after 6pm.

The festival’s biggest parade yet will set off at 5.45pm, heading from Northgate to Market Street and finishing off in Bradford Road.

It will feature the Spen Valley Scout and Guide Band, stilt walkers, the West End Park Juniors and much more.

Santa will turn Cleckheaton’s Christmas lights on at 6pm at the Savoy site, with a fireworks finale from 6.30pm-7pm.