ESP STAR LAUREN TOPS THE TREE!

Peterborough’s city centre Christmas tree has been topped off by Face of ESP Lauren Hughes as the countdown to the big Christmas lights switch on begins!

The fully decorated tree will be one of the focal points of the city centre Christmas lights switch-on this Saturday November 20 in Cathedral Square and Lauren joined the deputy Mayor in popping the star on the top.

Of course there were a  few firemen there to help which we suspect was a a bonus for our Face of ESP who confesses to suffering from vertigo!

The day’s entertainment for the big event will start at 2pm, with the Westgate and ESP Magazine Festive Fashion Show.

Westgate department store is sponsoring this year’s programme of city centre festivities and Lauren will again be centre stage as she joins the ESP models on the catwalk.

The fashion show will be launched by the ESP Dance Crew at 2pm and compered by our columnist Sarah Tempest and ESP’s style guru Sue Donnelly.

A packed programme of musical entertainment including local acts The Replicas and Latino Sound will keep the crowds happy throughout the day in the build up to the big switch-on at about 5.30pm.

Councillor Gavin Elsey, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for business engagement, told ESP -  “The topping of the Christmas tree marks the start of this year’s festive celebrations and sets the scene perfectly for the lights switch-on. We have a fantastic series of events to attract people into the city centre this Christmas which will make the most of the refurbished Cathedral Square.”

Jill Basson, Anglia Co-operative’s marketing and PR manager, added – “The arrival of the tree will help us all start to feel festive and we’re delighted Westgate is playing such a big part in providing some Christmas cheer to everyone in the Peterborough area.”

Familiar faces from television talent contests will add some festive sparkle to this year’s city centre Christmas lights switch-on.

Stars of the national show ‘Gleemania’ – a tribute to the hugely popular television show – will join Mayor of Peterborough councillor Keith Sharp and Father Christmas on stage to switch the lights on.

Gleemania includes former X Factor finalists Rikki Loney and Nikitta Angus and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Shaun Smith.

The entertainment will be rounded-off at about 5.30pm with performances from the shows ‘Wizard of Oz’, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ and ‘Gleemania’, which are set to run at the re-launched Broadway Theatre when it opens next year.

The event will end with fireworks, weather permitting. Fingers crossed!