A VICTORIAN-themed Christmas fair will help set the festive scene in Bacup.

The event, which will run throughout the town, on December 4, will start with a car boot sale at Sutton's Riverside factory.

The sale starts at 10.30am at the factory in Newchurch Road, featuring the Britannia Coconutters, an Irish band, and children's rides.

The Reach Puppets from St Mary's Church, Rawtenstall, will perform at the Royal Court Theatre, in Bacup.

There will also be a coffee day at the theatre.

The Central Methodist Church will hold a craft fair, and Stacksteads band will play carols around the town.

As part of the day's entertainment, Shawforth Majorettes will dance in the town centre.

A tea dance has been organised at the A, B and D Centre, Burnley Road, and there will be a reindeer trail around the shops for youngsters, and pony and trap rides.

An antiques valuation session is at the Pioneer gym.

Coun Christine Lamb said: "It's set to be a fantastic day with something on offer for all the family. Shopkeepers and market stall holders will be dressing in Victorian costume to help take people back to that era." The fair will finish with a blessing of the crib by the Rev Alistair Stewart, and a torchlight procession from St James' Square.