Halifax Rugby League Club and New Zealand star Frank Watene and BBC Radio Leeds DJ Steve Bailey will carry out the honours initially outside St Peter's Church at 7.30pm and at 9pm outside the Rushcart and Sowerby vicarage.

The village, which has had a dazzling Christmas display for the past two years following fund-raising by residents, will have additional lights this year in the churchyard and on lamp-posts in Towngate.

The evening begins with a St Nicholas Day community carol service in church at 6.30pm. Taking part will be the Imperial Crusaders Marching Band, Ryburn Valley High School dance academy and children from Sacred Heart, Sowerby Village, St Mary's and Triangle primary schools.

A Christmas market is being held from 7.30pm in St Peter's Community Centre including stalls, refreshments, gifts and Father Christmas.

There will also be carol singing at the Rushcart where hot pork sandwiches will be available.

The event, organised by Sowerby Christmas Lights Committee, has been well supported in the past and chairman Phillip Schofield, was confident this year's event would be equally successful.

"It is a community event and with support from people in the area we can carry on making sure Sowerby lights continue to shine," he said.