A SANTA-STIC day of festive fun will brighten the streets of Milford Haven this weekend.

This Saturday (December 3) sees the switching on of the town's Christmas lights, with families gathering at the town hall at 5pm.

Before that, children can take part in the annual lantern parade, setting off from the Police Station at 4.30pm, and led as usual by the town band.

Outside the town hall, there will be free rides from 3pm, with Neyland Ladies Choir performing between 4.15pm and 4.45pm.

Following the switching on of the Christmas lights, local children will then get a chance to meet Father Christmas in the town hall.

Compering the event will be Radio Pembrokeshire's Jim Hughes, and the Stratford Players will be joining the parade and distributing free glow sticks to youngsters.

Earlier in the day, a festive market will line Charles Street, with face painting, rodeo reindeer, tea cup rides, a street magician, balloon modelling and more, plus free mulled wine and mince pies, donated by local businesses.

Visitors to the market can also pic up their entry card for the Milford Haven Christmas shopping challenge (see page 7), with a chance to win an XBox.

There will also be a chance to meet Santa at Value Independence, in Charles Street, from 11am until 3.30pm. Have your photo taken with Father Christmas for just £3, and there will also be a craft stall and pinecone workshop, face painting, mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine.

Throughout December, well-known Milford Haven videographer Kevin McCauley is also hoping to share footage of Milford Haven, taken over the last 25 years, in the town's shops.

The films show past Christmas processions and festive fun, dating back to 1990.

If your shop would like to help host this unique look back at Milford Haven, at no cost to yourself, please contact Jeff Dunn on 01646 692824.

The following weekend, the Port of Milford Haven will also be putting on a day of family-friendly events, including a walk-in snow globe.

More details next week.