All set for the great Festive switch-on

With the appeal for match-funding nudging 20,000, Phil Morris, Rodney Gadsden and Brian Storkey, the team from Bexhill Regeneration Partnership's town centre and tourism action group which has been spearheading the Making Bexhill Brighter campaign, have been putting the finishing touches to their plans.

Brian Storkey said: "We are going to close Devonshire Road to traffic from Parkhurst Road to Marina for next Friday's event.

"We will have a flat-bed lorry curtained-off as a stage on the bus stop outside The Harp bar.

"Southern FM breakfast-time duo Danny and Nicki and the Hit Squad are due to arrive at about 5.45.

"They will be playing music until 7.30 or 7.45pm. There will be street entertainment going on and we are hoping that traders will stay open until 8pm for Christmas shopping and take advantage of the fact that there will be large crowds about.

"We will have girls going out among the crowds giving out promotional gifts to the kids.

"Danny and Nicki will make a gift presentation to the eight local primary school winners whose lighting designs were chosen."

Switch-on night provides the opportunity for two late-night shopping promotions for the town this Christmas.