Christmas lights switch-on cancelled due to storm

A town's official Christmas lights switch-on has been cancelled due to the expected arrival of Storm Bert.

Redcar's Illumination Parade was set to take place on Sunday but has been scrapped due to the impending bad weather.

Storm Bert is set to hit the UK this weekend and gusts of up to 45mph are expected in the Teesside town.

A Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council spokesperson said strong winds meant stages could not be set up and conditions would be "unsafe" for spectators and those taking part.

The official switch-on cannot be rescheduled as stages are not available until after Christmas, the council said.

"Events like this take months and months of planning but sometimes they fall foul of elements outside our control.

"We appreciate many of our residents will be disappointed and we are so sad that we are unable to put on a great event for all the family."

Some entertainment planned for Sunday's event will be moved to other Christmas events in the area.

The Illumination Parade will take place during Guisborough's Christmas festivities on 3 December.

Santa's Grotto, Fat Cat Brass, Fairy Godmother and the Lumi Stilt Walkers will be at Kirkleatham Museum on Sunday.

Street entertainers Urban Kaos will perform at the museum's annual Christmas market on 30 November.

"We know how hard all our artists and community groups have worked on their costumes and lanterns and we are looking for ways we can get them on display," the council said.

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