Helston Christmas Light switch-on will take place for the first time in three years due to the pandemic.

The main streets of the town will be closed to traffic from 3.40pm to allow sufficient time for the streets to be clear of parked vehicles so traders can arrive and set up. They will be up and running from 5pm.

There will be a wide range of food outlets selling everything from burgers, hog roast, kebabs, jacket potatoes and Caribbean themes food to hot soup, crepes, doughnuts, cakes and waffles.

Santa will be in his grotto from 5.30pm in Meneage Street along with various gift stall set up. The Guildhall will be hosting various traders as well.

This year the centre stage will be located outside JJ News – where it used to be 20 years ago. The move of the stage is to open up the centre of Coinagehall Street, so there will be more room.

The Culdrose Military Wives Choir will be performing on the stage from 6pm till 6.50pm and then Helston Town Concernt Band will go on stage and Rev Danny Reed will compere the next half hour in the build-up to the switch on at 7.30pm.

However, this year there won’t be the usual firework display which usually takes place after the lights have been switched on.

Due to insurance costs, the Helston Lights Committee said: “It costs over £2,000 in public liability insurance for just five minutes of fireworks, that’s without the cost of buying the fireworks themselves.

“It’s time to have an enjoyable evening without the expense of the fireworks.”

Trading will finish at 9pm and the roads will reopen to traffic at 10pm.

Anyone needing to catch a bus during the road closure, check the timetable for alternative pick-up points, and for those needing a taxi, the rank will be located at the bottom of the town outside Grylls Monument.