One lucky child in Bicester will get the chance to join the mayor and help turn on the town’s Christmas lights.

This year town mayor Rose Stratford has rewritten the festive events rule book.

She wants youngsters from all the town’s primary schools to draw or paint a picture about Christmas.

Then one winner will be chosen to stand on the stage next to her on Thursday, December 1, and press the button to light up the town for the festive season.

Schoolchildren have been given two titles, ‘Christmas’ or ‘A Garden in the Snow’.

Another event, the Santa Run, has also been turned on its head. Collecting sponsorship for the run has been scrapped and instead people are being urged to sign up and do it for fun.

Mrs Stratford said: “I decided to change the format because I think children would love to win a chance to switch on the lights for the whole town “Christmas is a children’s time of the year, so it’s nice to involve the children in the switch on.”

On December 1, Sheep Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland with hot chestnuts, fairground rides, Santa on his sleigh, stalls and snow from a snow machine.

Stage acts signed up so far include children from local school choirs, Funky Carols from Churches Together in Bicester, and Bicester Rock Choir.

Winners of the Best Dressed Christmas Shop Window contest will also be presented with their prize cup.

This year’s Santa Run takes place on Sunday, December 4, at 10.30am and starts and finishes in Pingle Field.

For more information or to book a place call Bicester Town Council on 01869 252915.