Clive from Miranda to switch on town lights

ACTOR James Holmes, who plays Clive in BBC’S sitcom Miranda, will be lighting up Matlock on Saturday to turn on the town’s lights at the Victorian Matlock Christmas market.

James, right, who is appearing as the Dame in Dick Whittington at Buxton Opera House, will be doing the honours in Hall Leys Park at 4.45pm.

Some 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, which is taking place from Friday until Sunday.

This year, the Victorian Matlock Christmas Market will be bigger than ever.

There will be some 200 stalls offering artisan and handcrafted goods as well as entertainment for all the family including a fun fair, Santa’s Christmas Parade and grotto, Circus Whiz, the Gen Steel Band, a firework display and James Mckay and his owls, throughout the weekend.

Looking forward to the 24th Victorian Matlock Christmas Market, Geoff Stevens, chairman of the event’s organising committee, said: “It’s a pleasure to be organising this fantastic event for another year.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the market back – and better than ever for 2018”.

Cllr Steve Flitter, of Matlock Town Council, said: “It’s become a much- anticipated event for families – not just locally but for people throughout Derbyshire and beyond.

“It is always a big pull for visitors to Matlock and a great opportunity for us to show off the town and its hospitality at its best.”