Santa's spectacular new sleigh was unveiled this week, just in time for the Christmas light switch-on ceremony in March on Friday November 29.

The sleigh has been built by members of March Lions Club, and will be used to transport Santa to the switch-on ceremony, as well raising funds for local charities.

Trevor Stockbridge from March Lions Club master minded the building project.

'I am delighted with the new sleigh which has new LED lights and a new sound system,' he said. 'We very grateful to everyone who made donations towards it.'

Fenland Breakers of March donated a seat with an integral seat belt, along with a battery to run the LED lights, and new spotlights for the rear of the sleigh.

Artificial turf that covers the inside of the sleigh and its seats was donated by Artificial Grass Cambs Ltd of March, staff from Peterborough prison made the wooden frame that has been mounted on a four wheeled trailer, and March Christmas Lights Committee made a £250 donation that paid for the new lighting.

The remaining building and decoration of the sleigh was carried out by Mr Stockbridge, along with Lions president John Potter, and Lions members Trevor Quince, Beryl Peerman, and Derek Rutter.

At the March Christmas lights switch-on event, the sleigh will have Santa aboard, along with the mayor of March, Councillor Andrew Pugh, Sean Doughty from FACET who is going to switch on the lights, and two of Santa's helpers.

On Saturday December 8, Santa and the sleigh will be at the Tesco store in Hostmoor, March, from 9.30am to 4pm, and on Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15, it will be at the Sainsbury's store in Mill View, March, from 8.30pm to 4pm, when Lions members will be collecting for charity.

The festivities to mark the switch on of March Christmas lights on Friday November 29 start with live music on the Market Place at 6.30pm. There will also be a choir from FACET, the charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, singing outside the new Iceland store.

The new sleigh will bring Santa to the Market Place just before 7pm, ready for the lights to be turned on by Sean Doughty from FACET.

There will be a fun fair in Broad Street, and live music will continue on the Market Place after the big switch on.

March Town Council clerk Clive Lemmon said: 'The Christmas Lights Committee is delighted to announce a much improved festive lights display.

'More than £41,000 has been spent on new LED energy-efficient lights. For a major part of this expenditure, our thanks go to the late Gordon Lake, who bequeathed £25,000 in his will for this purpose. The balance has been provided from the reserves account established by the Christmas Lights Committee.

'Our helpers have been working extremely hard to ensure that everything is ready for the switch on event, and we hope that as many of you as possible turn out to support this festive spectacle.'