BACUP Consortium is already planning its festive celebrations by organising a Bacup Victorian Christmas Fair.

The event aims to expand on last year's occasion by involving the whole community.

An events management team has been formed involving representatives from Sure Start, Pioneer Health Studio, Bacup Rotary, Top of the Valley, Royal Court Theatre, Sutton & Son Ltd, Community Policing, Community Development, Water Bridge Gallery, Friends of Bocholt and the Anchor Trust.

Ian Garside, of Bacup Consortium, said: "Many ideas have been put forward and we will be planning to encourage shopkeepers and market stallholders to adopt the theme and to dress up accordingly.

"We are hoping to have a torchlight parade into St James Square, a Nativity play with carol singers around the town and a carol service in St James Square.

"Other ideas we want to incorporate are an antiques road show, a Father Christmas grotto, the world's largest black pudding competition, a food fair, entertainment from the Majorettes, Britannia Coconutters, modern dance troupes, street theatres, car boot sales, a reindeer trail, brass bands, puppet shows among other things."

The event is planned for Saturday, December 4, starting in the morning going throughout the day before ending with a grand finale at 7pm.

Anybody wanting to be involved in the event should contact Ian on 01706 878795.