Hundreds of tractors and farm vehicles covered in Christmas lights and decorations will be bringing some festive cheer to the streets of Baldock, Letchworth and Hitchin as the ‘Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour’ returns for a second year.

Last year the Christmas spectacle saw over 100 tractors touring the area, showcasing their tinsel, festive lights and sounding their horns and sirens, delighting the thousands that turned out to watch in the three towns.

This year, there are approximately 200 tractors and associated vehicles expected to attend and even bigger crowds anticipated.

The Comet: Tractors toured the streets of Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock last yearTractors toured the streets of Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock last year (Image: Roger Smee)

The convoy will be making its way through Baldock High Street at approximately 6pm on December 17, before moving onto Eastcheap and Leys Avenue in Letchworth for 6.45pm and then Hitchin for 7.30pm where the route will include Hermitage Road, High Street and Market Place.

The tour will end at Portmill Lane and St Mary’s Square Car Parks, where members of the public will have the opportunity to view and take photos of the parked tractors and enjoy a small kids funfair, food stalls, live music and Santa’s Grotto.

Farmer Richard Hill is the organiser of the event, which raises money for Garden House Hospice Care.

The Comet: 200 tractors will be taking part in this year's Farmer's Christmas lights tour in North Herts200 tractors will be taking part in this year's Farmer's Christmas lights tour in North Herts (Image: Garden House Hospice)

He said: “I’ve always enjoyed running events such as the Whitwell Steam and Country Fair and last year I wanted to do something to bring a bit of happiness back, so created this Christmas tractor fundraiser.

"At the time I thought if we could just get 20 to 30 tractors and raise a few hundred pounds for Garden House Hospice Care I would be doing well.

"To my amazement 107 tractors turned up and the streets were packed with spectators. Over 20,000 people came to see the parade and helped raise £12,000 for the hospice. This year it’s even more popular with over 200 tractors and we can’t wait.

“You cannot buy the atmosphere that comes from this event and it’s lovely to see the smiles on people’s faces. Not only does it raise vital funds for charity, but it’s also fantastic fun for the farmers and does so much for their mental health.

"There used to be 10 to 15 people working on a farm and now there are only a couple. You can be stuck in a field for weeks without really seeing people so it gives farmers a chance to socialise and meet people they haven’t seen for ages.”

Carla Pilsworth, who is director of income generation and interim CEO at the hospice, said: “The Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour is up there with the very best fundraising events I’ve seen.

"Last year was truly spectacular with an incredible atmosphere across Baldock, Letchworth and Hitchin as the tractors passed through and thanks to kind donations from the public, we raised £12,000 for our end-of-life care services across North Herts and beyond.

“To hear there are even more tractors taking part this year is so exciting and we can’t wait for everybody in the local community to enjoy it.

"We’d like to thank Richard Hill, the local farming community, North Herts Council and everyone else involved in the event, which we know will be a real festive spectacle just a week before Christmas.”

Donations to the Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour can be made at www.justgiving.com/campaign/xmastractors, via the hospice website at www.ghhospicecare.org.uk or by texting TRACTOR to 70460 to donate £5.

Volunteer bucket collectors will also be in all three towns on the night.