EIGHT-year-old Lauren Gunter will have the special honour of switching on Minehead's Christmas lights tomorrow night (Friday).

Lauren, a pupil of Minehead First School, was selected after winning a school Christmas card competition.

She will be helping to switch the lights on in the Parade at 6pm.

Traders will be staying open late and Graham Sizer, chairman of Minehead Chamber of Trade, said they have been making great efforts to improve on last year's excellent event.

There will be shop parties, special offers, giveaways and competitions to complement the evening's entertainment.

Mr Sizer said that would include bigger and better lights, more fireworks, two snow machines, two live bands, a Santa's Grotto at the Regal Theatre and family karaoke.

The Clown's Bus and Lion's Sleigh will also be occupying the parade, together with the extended farmers' market and Exmoor Producers.

Blob - THE West Somerset Morris Men will begin their busy Christmas programme by making an appearance at Minehead's switch-on.

The Morris Men will be dancing at about 6.30pm and 7.15pm outside the town hall on the Parade.

They will also be making their first ever appearance at Dulverton by Starlight on Sunday, at 5.15pm, and will then be dancing at Dunster by Candlelight on December 8 and at Porlock on December 15.