Yorkshire and England cricket star Matthew Hoggard is set to bowl over Bingley residents when he switches on their new £10,000 Christmas lights.

The Baildon bowler will illuminate Bingley on Saturday, November 22.

Cash for the new-look lighting, which will extend along Main Street, was donated by ward councillors following the sale of Leeds-Bradford airport.

Bingley Chamber of Trade has also donated £1,000 for children’s presents, which will be handed out by Father Christmas and 12 of his elves.

Bingley town centre manager David Dinsey said: “This year festive lights will adorn all the newly-installed lampposts along the full length of Main Street. We are also installing new LED lighting to 22 trees in Jubilee Gardens, around the Bingley Arts Centre which, when lit, will remain so all year round.”

The event starts at 10am. Father Christmas will meet children in his grotto from 12.30pm, where free gifts will be handed out to those aged six and under. Other free attractions for children include train rides and face-painting. The Hot Aire band will entertain. The lights switch-on takes place at 4.30pm.

The town’s annual lantern procession and carol-singing is on Saturday, December 13, from 4.30pm.

Processions will begin at Bingley United Reformed Church and take in Market Street, the Queen Street car park, Queen Street, Main Street and Myrtle Place, and will end at the Myrtle Park bandstand, for carols.

Shipley’s lights switch-on is this Saturday. Events start at 11am. Santa and his elves Pip and Pop will perform at 2pm, with the switch-on and fireworks display at 4.30pm. There will be donkey rides, weather-permitting, face-painting and refreshments. A tombola in aid of Marie Curie will be held in the market square.

e-mail: mel.fairhurst@telegraphandargus.co.uk