PREPARATIONS are underway for festive events in Cam and Dursley which are due return next week with fireworks, fairgrounds and reindeer rides.

Dursley 

Dursley's popular Christmas light switch-on event is due to take place on Friday, November 29 from 4.30pm.

The event will include a fairground, a winter garden with snow, a Father Christmas Grotto plus festive shop window displays.

There will also be live performances from Charlie Mee, The Good Times, the Dursley Rock & Pop Choir and dancers from Amy Addle’s dance troupe.

Dozens of stalls will also be under the Marketplace and along Parsonage Street.

Members of the public will also be able to take a photo of themselves on Santa's Sleigh in the Church Green at St James.

The town’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm followed by a spectacular firework display.

In addition, there will also be a Christmas fair in St James' Church and an artisan market shopping night at The Engine in Silver Street.

This year’s theme has been selected as Christmas songs by organisers Festive Dursley.

For a full programme see Dursley Town Council’s website.

Cam 

Elsewhere, in Cam, the village’s lights will be switched on during an event on Saturday, November 30 starting from 2pm.

Seasonal attractions include a fun-fair in the car park on Noel Lee Way and Father Christmas himself will be at Cam Methodist Church in an enchanting grotto.

Other planned activities include face painting, mini-reindeer rides, giant street games and a festive treasure hunt.

There will also be live performances from a festive dance troupe, Dursley Male Voice Choir and also Rednock School Band.

In addition, a festive craft market will be held in Cam Memorial Hall and along the High Street.

The lights in the trees around Noel Lee Way and along the High Street will be switched on just before 5pm with a countdown outside Cam Post Office.

For more information contact Cam Parish Council at projects@camparishcouncil.gov.uk or 01453 548884.

Cam High Street will be closed from 12pm until 6pm on Saturday, November 30 due to the event.

Organisers say the closure - from just after The China Chef takeaway to the roundabout by Tesco - is to ensure people’s safety.

Manor Avenue will be the alternative route and traffic marshals will help residents and visitors and redirect vehicles as needed.

HGVs will be asked to use the A38 and B4066 for access to Cam.