Come along to Runcorn town centre on Friday 30 November to see the Christmas lights being switched on and enjoy some festive entertainment.

Entertainment will start at 4pm with the switch-on at 6pm, and you can meet Father Christmas outside Runcorn Library.

Cast members from The Brindley pantomime, Beauty and The Beast – Amelle Barrabah (Fairy Sugababe), Rebecca Lake (Belle) and Andrew Curphey (French Franc) – will be there from 5pm-6pm.

Halton Borough Council has also planned festive attractions for the town centres. On Saturday 8 December in Runcorn there will be a fun day starting at 1.30pm at The Brindley Theatre. Meet Father Christmas and his reindeer, there will be children’s entertainers, rides, face painting and choirs.

You can see the reindeer at the Widnes town centre event on Saturday 15 December, starting at 12 noon.

Children can once again visit Santa at Widnes Market’s free Grotto every Saturday in December and on Sunday 23 December.

BBC Radio Merseyside will be bringing their Christmas Toy Appeal Bus to the Market on Saturday 1 December, from 9.30am, collecting toys for local children.