A LUCKY Skipton schoolchild will be given the honour of turning on the town's new Christmas lights this year.

The official start to the festive season will take place on the last Thursday of November.

And, this year, to coincide with Skipton's new Fairtrade status, town leaders are going all out to make it a really special occasion.

The turning on of the lights - funded by Skipton Town Council and Skipton Town Partnership - will be accompanied by live entertainment, a fun trail for families and late night shopping.

Primary schoolchildren are being invited to enter a poster competition advertising the event and the winner will be asked to turn on the lights, along with the co-ordinator of Fairtrade Yorkshire.

"We are working hard to ensure that the switch on is a night to remember and letters have been sent to town centre shops asking them to participate," said Mary Arber, town partnership manager.

"We hope the event will attract people of all ages, the atmosphere will be relaxed and family friendly, with a touch of magic.

"It will also be a chance to do some late night shopping in favourite shops, making sure this year's presents are local and/or Fairtrade."

The event - which is in addition to the Yuletide celebrations on Sundays, December 7 and 14 - will also be an opportunity to mark this year's 20th anniversary of Fairtrade in the UK.

It started in 1994 with a Maya Gold chocolate bar and 20 years later has grown to more than 4,500 Fairtrade products available to buy.

Many are on sale and being used in Skipton, with a list of stockists available at the tourist information office in the town hall.