CLITHEROE could be set to hold a Christmas market and a festive light switch-on for the first time - it has been revealed.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has announced its intentions to host Saturday markets in the build up to Christmas featuring up to 30 traders using the existing stalls.

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A free Christmas light switch-on is also being planned as part of the festive celebrations for the first time with the aim of benefiting the new market.

The announcement comes after plans to hold a Christmas market last year were controversially scuppered at the last minute after being denied permission by the council.

Councillors voted against the proposal by Lancashire Bites to hold an event at Clitheroe Castle field, which saw a petition from residents for the event to go ahead.

The steering group committee has been set up consisting of council departments and also market traders who will be able to offer traders an opportunity to showcase their product.

Stall holder Eileen Ansar said: “I think it will be a good flagship for the market. For years nothing has really gone on at Christmas, its been a stalemate.

“The new Clitheroe market steering group has done well to work together and force something where everyone was split last year.

“I really hope that it will be a really good Christmas in Clitheroe and that the Christmas market will be a major attraction.”

The council has said it hopes the market will be held in the town for the four consecutive Saturday’s prior to Christmas from November 26.

Ribble Valley Borough Cllr Allan Knox said: “Hopefully we’ll be able to come together in conjunction with the market traders to provide a good Christmas event.”

Management of the event will fall to the council through its market superintendent and it plans to introduce enhanced litter picking and refuse collection to cope with the demands.

The council has predicted in a report to councillors that the cost of the decoration and hosting the markets will cost around £4,895.

Heather Coar, head of environmental health services, in the report to councillors said: “The decision to hold a Christmas market encourages not only income to the council, to the stallholders, to the cabin holders and most importantly to the retail establishments within Clitheroe.”