IT will be a double celebration for James Acraman next week. The lucky schoolboy has won the Comet competition to turn on the Christmas lights next Thursday (November 20) in Stevenage town centre. James will join Ben Nicholas and David Spinx, stars of th

IT will be a double celebration for James Acraman next week.

The lucky schoolboy has won the Comet competition to turn on the Christmas lights next Thursday (November 20) in Stevenage town centre.

James will join Ben Nicholas and David Spinx, stars of this year's Gordon Craig Theatre Christmas pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, on the Chiltern Radio stage to turn on the lights.

And it will be extra special for James - he'll also be celebrating his 12th birthday that day.

The big switch-on, which is sponsored by the ASDA store in Stevenage, will kick off in Town Square at 4pm with a line-up of entertainment introduced by Chiltern presenters Gaz and Babs.

Live performances by Cinderella Theory, Georgie Swan and Electracute should keep toes tapping and roadshow games will offer the chance to win some great prizes, including Christmas selection boxes, toys, books and cinema tickets.

Face painting will be available in ASDA and the Westgate Centre between 4pm and 8pm for a £1 donation to the town centre company's charity of the year, Building Blocks, and Santa's sleigh will travel through the town centre at 5.30pm with free sweets for everyone.

Funfair rides, free balloons and 1,000 goody bags are up for grabs throughout the evening, plus there's a chance to win a Nintendo Wii. Pick up an entry form in town centre shops or on the night of the switch-on and pop it in to the competition entry box at the customer services desk in ASDA. The closing date for entries is Monday, November 24.

The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk will perform on stage at 6pm, before being joined by mayor designate Cllr Sue Myson and James Acraman to turn on the Christmas lights at 6.30pm.

There will be a spectacular firework display, and the entire square will be covered in a blanket of snow from four snow machines.

In Letchworth GC, the fun begins in Leys Square at 4pm on Friday, November 21. There will be live music, fairground rides, and Santa and his huskies will be making an appearance, with Santa's grotto established outside Woolworths.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5.30pm and the party will continue until 8pm.

In Hitchin, the Christmas lights switch-on will take place at 6pm on Friday, November 28.

The Christmas lights in Stofold will be turned on in Silver Birch Avenue on December 7 at 7pm and in Shefford on November 29 in the High Street at 6pm where there will also be carol singing from 5.30pm.