THE countdown to Christmas will officially get under way in Hexham tonight with help from the mischievous Minions.

The little yellow cartoon characters from this year’s blockbuster children’s movie promise to be the highlight of the town’s Christmas lights switch-on, which will include live music and a candlelit service in the historic Abbey.

And town Mayor, Coun. Trevor Cessford, has pledged that plans are on track to make the event the “best ever” after last year’s effort attracted criticism over poor staging and sound, with many youngsters unable to see Santa.

But this year, a specially-built stage next to the Abbey will provide a platform for a performance from Hexham Middle School band, who will be playing Christmas carols from 4.15pm.

At about 4.30pm, Santa will arrive and take to the stage accompanied by a pair of Minions, who will be tasked with distributing sweets and fruit donated by Waitrose, while Santa listens carefully to present requests.

A 35ft Christmas tree – a Sitka spruce grown at Kielder and donated by Egger UK – will have its lights turned on at 5pm.

“We are planning for this to be our best-ever Christmas lights switch on,” said Coun. Trevor Cessford.

“Last year attracted such big crowds that those at the back had a restricted view and missed some of the action.

“So this time we are having everything on a raised stage along the side of the Abbey, giving kids and grown-ups a great view not just of the big man, but also the stars of the hugely popular movie The Minions .

“Town traders will be pulling out all the stops to make this a night for everyone to enjoy and I’m also grateful to businesses such as Waitrose, Egger UK and Robert Scott of SGS Timber Haulage for their support.”

The base of the tree already looks suitably decorative, after youngsters from Beaufront First School were invited to design a colourful wrap along the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas.

Reception class teacher, Gemma Boucetla, said: “We had a whole-school art afternoon where all 70 children were split into groups and given one of the days of Christmas.

“They all sketched out ideas and have been so excited about coming along to see the finished product.”

The design was finalised by staff at Egger before being created by Top Signs of Hexham.

After tonight’s big switch-on – which will include more trees than ever in the park being illuminated – choristers will sing Christmas carols in the Abbey around the piano while hot chocolate is served.

At 6pm in the Abbey there will be Compline service by candlelight with singing from the Abbey Choir.

Tomorrow and Sunday, between 10am and 4pm, over 125 stands will fill Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure centre for the popular Christmas fair.

Now in its fifth year, the event attracts artists, photographers, jewellers, craft and food sellers.

The festivities are set to continue into December with Hexham Christmas Market planned for December 11 and 12, which will coincide with the town’s first Christmas tree festival at St Aidan’s Church, from December 11 to 13.