Clitheroe's Christmas celebrations will launch on Saturday December 3 with the first of three festive markets and the seasonal lights switch on.

The Clitheroe Pop Choir will sing in the market bullring at 1pm following a Christmas lights switch-on by Ribble Valley Mayor Stuart Hirst.

Further markets featuring a feast of festive food and drink and gifts that won’t break the bank will be held on Saturdays December 10 and 17.

Stalls will include Mama Shar’s celebrated Caribbean cookhouse, famous for its jerk chicken, rice and peas, curried goat, fried chicken dumplings and other specialities devised by founder Sharmen Frith-Hemmings using family recipes.

Clitheroe Food Festival favourite Fairham Gin will also be on sale with 100-per cent vapour-infused gins handcrafted in 60-litre copper pots at its small distillery in Preston.

They will join more than 30 festive stalls packing the market’s bullring, among them some of the region’s best artisan producers including Dipz Doughnuts, Oh My Cheesecake, Doe Bakehouse, the Spice Cartel and Clitheroe’s Bowland Brewery, alongside the market’s 80 regular traders.

Cllr Louise Edge, chairman of Ribble Valley Council’s economic development committee, said: “We have created a strong narrative around markets over the years and are delighted to be hosting these festive markets that will support the local economy, as we move into the post-pandemic period.

“Markets offer many economic and social benefits, such as encouraging entrepreneurship and civic pride, and fostering a sense of community.

“Visitors to the Clitheroe Christmas Markets can expect top-quality local produce and a warm Ribble Valley welcome.”

Clitheroe has hosted a regular market since the 12th Century.

It hosts markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and last year was the subject of a £110,000 makeover featuring heritage-style signage, new canopies and revamped loos.

Free shoppers parking is on offer at three council car parks in Clitheroe including the market car park, on December 3, 10, 17 and 24.