DUNMOW is set for its first-ever official Christmas lights event thanks to the coming together of various organisations across the town.

In what is being billed as a “huge community event”, residents will experience a Christmas lights switch on including a 20-foot tree in the town square and a torchlight parade through the town.

The project is the idea of several Dunmow Chamber of Trade and Commerce members including Jacky Rom from the Arts Centre and chamber treasurer Kevin Smith.

They have gained help from the town council and the round table and will be putting on music in the square and inviting school choirs to come along and perform.

Chamber chairman Mike Perry is looking forward to welcoming the whole community into the town centre.

“We are looking for this event to really give Dunmow a kick-start at Christmas time,” he said. “It is a chance to show everybody what a community-minded town we live in.

“The evening should be amazing with families all coming together to get involved and witness Dunmow’s first ever big festive switch on.

“A lot of effort has gone in by many organisations, including the chamber, the town council and the round table and now we are really looking forward to seeing everybody there.

“The High Street will be open for business all evening just like the Christmas late night shopping event of old – only this time we will be having a huge Christmas tree in the town square and a stunning torchlight parade.”

The event kicks off at 5.30pm with the Motown Girls in the town square followed by a Peter pan play, school choirs, the Dunmow Players and a grand raffle.

The lights will be turned on at 6.50pm. Ten minutes later there will be a torchlight parade through the town to market square where carols will be sung.

Dunmow town clerk Caroline Fuller has played a major part in bringing the event together. She said: “The Council, having supplied the lights and the tree, fully supports the Great Dunmow Switch On and is happy that its new town square has been chosen as the focal point for this new event”.

Food and drink will be available and most of the shops in the town centre will be open for late night Christmas shopping. The road will be shut off for the evening.

Mrs Rom said: “We will need the help of everybody to make this event the success we are sure it can be. It should be a huge community event.”

The Great Dunmow Switch on – December 3 from 5.30pm