Minster light show set to bring in the crowds

The light show, which last year saw purple, green, blue and red light, and images of snowflakes, projected on to the Minster, proved massively popular.

It will now be extended to run throughout the St Nicholas Fair, which sees hundreds of thousands of people visit York to shop.

The big switch-on party will be in Duncombe Place on November 27, from 6pm.

It will be broadcast live on Calendar and Minster FM.

York's Pop Idol heroine, Hayley Bamford, and the Sing Youth Children's Choir will provide the music, while panto stars from the Theatre Royal and Grand Opera House will lead the fun. Negotiations are under way with World Snooker to get a star along to the party after last year's appearance by the hugely popular Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Mark Brayshaw, whose Rocking Horse Promotions company is organising the switch-on, said: "There is fun for all the family. Last year was a great night, we want this one to be even better."

The big switch-on will also be the official first night of Christmas late night shopping.

Scores of city centre shops will keep their doors open until 8pm every Thursday in the run up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, the Coppergate Christmas lights will be switched on tonight.

The fun starts at 7pm, and will see pupils from York primary schools - Archbishop of York Juniors and St George's - singing Christmas songs.

The switch will be flicked at 7.30pm by Marjorie Stuttle, mother of murdered York backpacker Caroline.

Mrs Stuttle has strong links with the Coppergate centre and Caroline's memorial stands in its grounds.

She will be helped by ten-year-old Fiona Jacques, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, who won a painting competition run by Radio York and the Rainbow Foundation, set up in Caroline's memory.

Coppergate centre manager Diana Golding said: "It is a community and family-led event. The compact size of the centre makes for a lovely Christmas atmosphere."

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, November 13, 2003