Julie Reinger

A TV weather presenter will be shedding light on the centre of a north Suffolk town this Friday when she switches on the Christmas lights.

BBC Look East’s Julie Reinger will be the star guest turning on the lights in Broad Street, Eye at 5.55pm as she lives locally with her husband and young son.

A number of other events have also been lined up to keep crowds entertained including a church bazaar, carol singing around the town and a performance by the folk music group Gypsy.

On Friday and Saturday, drama group The Dove Players will be putting on a display of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, while there will be a number of charity stalls for visitors to wander around.

The town’s Mayor, Merlin Carr, who sits on the Christmas lights committee, said businesses in the town centre had also done their bit to support the event and the town’s Business Forum had helped provide new lights around the town.

There will also be attractions to keep children occupied, including fairground rides and prizes will be handed out, including the Best Dressed Window category, which will be presented by Julie.

The lights switch on is also traditionally when town centre shops and businesses stay open late and retailers are expected to remain open until 8pm.

Mr Carr said: “It will be disappointing after all the work that has gone into it from businesses and the council it does not result in a bigger turnout, but it all depends on the weather. We are hoping for a nice day and a crisp evening.”

Last year, the lights were switched on by Terry Hunt, editor of the EDP’s sister paper the East Anglian Daily Times.