Hero Tom to light up town

PARALYMPIC hero Tom Hamer will flick the lights on in his home town.

The double silver medal winning swim star will switch on the Rawtenstall lights at 4.30pm on Saturday, November 26 in the town square, where there will be a Christmas market with seasonal food and drink and music from 11am until 8pm.

The market has more than 50 stalls with artisan street food, handmade produce, mulled wine, cider, a prosecco bar and craft beers, and coffee, tea and cakes. Choirs, brass bands and live bands playing contemporary music in the evening will feature and there will be covered areas.

The market will be launched at 11am by daytime MC Pete Sweetmore.

Rossendale Revival will take over from 4.30pm to 5.15pm for the Christmas tree and lights switch-on, a children’s treasure hunt, a lantern parade, brass band and carol singing.

Danny Solazzo, music director, will then take the reins from 5.15pm.

The market has been organised by Mark Smith from the Farmers Market, Jane Boys, organiser of the Clog Market, and Danny Solazzo, owner of the Artisan.

Jane said: “We’re expecting it to be a really fun day where people can enjoy eating, shopping and chatting with their friends and families.

“Hopefully it will be really lively and lots of people will come out and support us. We’re all very excited about it.”