STOWMARKET: A top TV star is set to do the honours and transform a market town into a Christmas winter wonderland.

Former Hollyoaks and Casualty heart-throb James Redmond, now plying his trade as an up-and-coming stand-up on the comedy scene, will be switching on the lights in Stowmarket at the start of December.

Mr Redmond, who played senior staff nurse Abs in the BBC drama for five years, has previously compered a comedy night at the town’s Regal Theatre and will return on December 3 for the 6.30pm switch-on.

The night, which will begin at 5pm, will be part of a festive extravaganza featuring a range of live entertainment at locations throughout the town centre.

Daniel Harvey, of Stowmarket Town Council, promised a night of festive fun for all the family, that would be part of an expanded Christmas festival in the town this year.

He said: “It will feature entertainment and activities in the Market Place, Old Fox Yard and Bury Street. It will also be a late night shopping night with many shops staying open until 8pm.

“Some top musical acts have been booked for the night including the superb 60-strong Ipswich Community Gospel Choir, the impossible-not-to-like duo Dumbfoundus, the talented Stowmarket Concert Band and the excellent local singer songwriter Dave Collins.”

The switch-on evening will be part of the new Stowmarket Christmas Festival, which has been organised by the town council, parish church and other organisations.

The festival will run from November 26 to December 5 and there will be lots of events taking place around the town. For more details visit www.stowmarket.org