MOTOR sport fans will be able to get up close to a £1m racing car and vehicles driven by world champions at Banbury’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Vehicles from Prodrive, based in Acorn Way, Banbury, will take pride of place on Sunday, November 29.

Cars driven by Colin McRae and Richard Burns, plus the firm’s £1m Aston Martin LMP1 racing car, will be on show.

The lights event, organised by Banbury Town Council, runs from noon to 6pm.

Among the acts are Blazin’ Squad, Aquablakk, Harlequinn and Outraze. Banbury singer Rosie Samaras, 12, takes to the stage at 2.45pm to perform two songs after winning a competition for a 10-minute slot at the event. Escapologist Merlin Cadogan, from Britain’s Got Talent, will also perform.

Elsewhere on the day there will be Father Christmas and a fair.

The lights will be switched on at 6pm by Blazin’ Squad and Banbury mayor Tina Wren, followed by a fireworks display.

Prodrive is marking its 25th anniversary and spokesman Ben Sayer said: “We are one of the biggest employers in the town and this is one of the biggest events of the year so it was natural for us to be part of it.”