RESIDENTS will be able to tune in to watch the switching on of Hexham's Christmas lights display. 

The ceremony will be broadcast live on Hexham TV at shortly before 5pm on Friday. However, Hexham Town Council has stressed that this is a virtual event only, and that the public should not attend in person. 

The Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Bob Hull, will switch on the lights alongside Tobias Zimmerman, production and technical director of Egger UK, which donated the tree to the town.

A town council statement read: "Please note that, sadly, due to Covid and the current lockdown, the usual Christmas lights switch-on event in Hexham cannot take place this year and there will be no Santa, school orchestra at the bandstand or sweets being handed out.

"However, the switch-on will be streamed live on Hexham TV, and the council requests, for public safety, that people do not attend to watch the lights being switched on.

Hexham TV can be accessed via the Hexham TV page on Facebook.