FERNDOWN is set to twinkle and glitter through the festive season after town councillors made an early start to their Christmas preparations.

Shopkeepers on Victoria Road have said they will have a Christmas tree and the majority have agreed to supply electricity for Christmas lights, the town council heard recently.

At the same meeting Dorset Police inspector Ernie Henley told councillors they should not be dissuaded from putting up Christmas lights because of previous problems with vandals.

He said: "The community wants to see Christmas lights.

"It's a feeling of well-being and that they celebrate the season.

"We will do everything we can in relation to supporting the council.

"The main thing is making sure we don't get the damage."

Inspector Henley said property damage, including breaking Christmas lights, was a crime that needed to be dealt with by the police.

Deputy town clerk Paul Falconbridge said he and an electrician would walk around the town to discuss how the lights will be supplied.

Mr Falconbridge added: "Also this week I will be visiting the shops in Ringwood Road asking for their support.

"We are going to meet with some of the local shops in the town and hopefully we will have a quite decent switching-on ceremony with carols and Santa Claus."

Councillor Queenie Comfort told the Echo the ceremony could also include music from a brass band, a choir, and a town crier.

Mayor Lesley Dedman added: "Whilst we note that many other councils have cancelled their displays we intend to do all we can to ensure that Ferndown residents have an enjoyable display of Christmas lights in the town.

"The shopkeepers usually join in the festive spirit and the council does all it can to help."

The switch-on has been provisionally organised to take place at the end of November.