THE Christmas lights will be switched on in Southend town centre by Cinderella's ugly sisters.

Darren Southworth and Paul Burnham, who are playing the parts in the Cliffs pantomime, will switch on the lights at 5pm on Saturday, November 17.

Turning on the lights is part of a Christmas spectacular which will start with a festive farmers' market starting at 8.30am.

There will also be street entertainment with stilt walkers, a roving Christmas tree and balloon modelling from 11am to 4pm.

The Royals Christmas parade will run from midday to 12.30pm with Santa arriving at the shopping centre ready to greet people inside from 1pm to 6pm.

The day will be rounded off with a fireworks finale from 5.30pm onwards.