FULL details have been revealed ahead of the Stevenston Christmas lights switch-on.

The event will take place on Friday, December 6, with plenty planned for all in attendance.

The organising committee said it was delighted to have the occasion going ahead as planned - with concerns that unexpected increased expenditure could put the switch-on at risk.

"We certainly believed that Stevenston would be unable to have any Christmas lights as it would be cost prohibitive," a spokesperson said.

However, the community have since rallied round with a few people making a considerable effort to ensure that would not be the case.

It has now been announced that proceedings will get under way at 4pm, with Santa to be in his grotto - which has been supplied by West Coast Castles - at the town's library from then until 6pm.

The HOPE Project will be also be providing free food and hot drinks from 10 Alexander Place.

Before the big switch-on, the winner of the annual Christmas card competition will also be announced.

Pupils from Ardeer, Glencairn, Hayocks and St John's Primary Schools as well as youngsters from the Lockhart Campus have all taken part in the contest.

The lights will then be formally 'switched on' at 6.30pm, with local legend Ian Cassidy bestowed the honour of doing so.

Organisers said: "Ian has worked tirelessly for almost 10 years to try and keep Stevenston beach clean and tidy. Ian has also helped to clean in other areas of Stevenston, Kilwinning and beyond. We are certainly indebted to his efforts."

The switch-on will be hosted by the Irvine Beat Road Show, with the event team delighted for their assistance.

The Stevenston Christmas Lights Committee also looked to thank a number of local groups and businesses who supported their efforts.

This included local company James Free Ltd who made a wonderful donation of 500 selection boxes - with their continued support of the event described as "incredible".

Amongst other contributors were the Rotary Club of Hunterston, Order of the Eastern Star, the Let's Save Lights Group, Clyde Studios, the NAC building services operations team, Streetscene, Stevenston library staff, councillor Davina McTiernan, Danny Sweeney, Gavin Leishman, and Lorraine Andrew.

A spokesperson added: "The assistance that our group has had from the Three Towns locality team has been incredible, particularly the help we have received from Kimberly O’Neill.

"It is wonderful the effort some of the businesses in Stevenston make each year to decorate their window fronts with a magnificent Christmas display.

"We are delighted that a few people have agreed to join us next year on Stevenston Christmas Lights Committee and we can get our fundraising started early in the new year for next year's event."