PANTO star Lesley Joseph will sprinkle her magic over High Wycombe to bathe the town in the glow of thousands of Christmas lights.

The Birds of a Feather actress - who plays the Fairy Godmother in the Wycombe Swan’s panto Cinderella - will press the plunger and light up the town during the festive lights switch on at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 17.

Her panto co-stars Gemma James and Matt Slack will lead 200 schoolchildren carrying home-made Christmas lanterns through the town to the Frogmoor stage in a horse-drawn cart for the main event.

Wycombe Wanderers skipper Gareth Ainsworth will show off his vocal talents, performing on the main stage with south Bucks band Subrosa5.

A Glee choir, Michael Buble tribute, Breaking Pointe, the Songbirds, Masala Bhangra and performances from the Jackie Palmer Stage School, Marsh Infant and Mary Townton Schools completes the live entertainment.

Santa Claus will be making an appearance in Frogmoor with his reindeer, while scores of rides and stalls will be dotted around the town.

Oliver O’Dell, BID Development Manager for the High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership organising the event said: “This is very much a family event but one in which we have tried hard to provide something for all ages.

“We are grateful to the local businesses, and Wycombe District Council, who have sponsored the event and enabled us to provide such a range of attractions.”

Parking will be free in all council-owned car parks and Chiltern Railways is offering discounted travel in and out of High Wycombe on the night.

Visit www.hwbidco.co.uk for more information about the event and the High Wycombe BID project.