THE Christmas lights switch-on in Malvern is in danger of being cancelled due to poor weather.

That was the revelation councillors heard this week ahead of one of the town's most eagerly-anticipated events.

At a meeting of Malvern Town Council's planning committee on November 24, town clerk Linda Blake said all options were being considered ahead of this weekend.

She said: "The activities are all set, but unfortunately there is not great weather forecast with gale force winds.

"If the weather is that severe, we could have to cancel."

She added there were no concrete plans to cancel the event yet, but that the council would take its lead from the management of the Christmas Market in the grounds of the Priory.

If they did not feel it was safe to put up their stalls, the council would have to re-assess its plans.

Whatever the weather, Santa's Grotto will still continue however, as it is indoors at Malvern Library.

This weekend's weather forecast sees a warning of high winds in and around Malvern.

Saturday's weather is set to be unsettled with strong northerly winds set to bring in wintry showers throughout the day.

Planning committee chairman Cllr Cynthia Palmer said the council would update the public on the future of the lights switch-on as and when they made a decision.

This year's Christmas Lights switch-on coincides with the Great Malvern Christmas Festival.

The lights themselves are switched on at 6pm, with the whole event kicking off at 10am.

Children will have the chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto at Great Malvern Library with festive music and activities.

The Morgan Routemaster Bus will also be in front of Belle Vue Island, together with retired police dogs and an animatronic polar bear.

The Great Malvern Christmas Festival has been organised by Malvern Hills District Council in partnership with Malvern Town Council, Boffy Arts Markets, Great Malvern Priory and Great Malvern Library.

For more information and updates about this year's Christmas lights switch-on, go to www.malverntowncouncil.org/

For the full timetable of events, see the column on page 14 of this week's Malvern Gazette