Cyril (80), from Swaffham, will flick the switch from a stage in Tuesday Market Place at 6.45pm and entertain with a saxophone solo. The fun starts long before then and include shows by professional ice skaters, at noon and 4pm, on the eco-ice rink in Baxters Plain.

From 1pm, Santa's sleigh and reindeer and Disney-style winter wonderland characters will greet shoppers and families.

A special machine will create a snow effect to set the winter scene and in the Vancouver Quarter there will be a climbing wall.

Youngsters can visit Santa's Grotto, in a vacant unit next to the Carphone Warehouse in Broad Street, and have a go on a 12-seater sleigh ride simulator.

In the market place, a continental market will trade during the day and from 5pm there will be entertainment, including a performance by The Brink who won this year's KL.FM Battle of the Bands. At 5.30pm, a parade sets off to the market place, with Borough Mayor David Johnson and the Dame (Craig Cowdroy) from the Aladdin pantomime at Hunstanton's Princess Theatre taking part. It marks the start of late- night shopping on Thursdays and Fridays.