Lydiard Park is lighting up its huge Christmas tree and holding a host of other activities in preparation for the festive season.

The tree at the West Swindon beauty spot is next to the newly refurbished Lydiard Park Hotel and Conference Centre.

Council leader Jim Robbins and Swindon mayor Barbara Parry will both be attending the event.

The programme will include carols from a church choir as well as performances by local school children and the Kitty Langan Studio performing arts school.

The event takes place on Friday, November 24 and starts at 5.30pm.

It is the first Christmas event since the hotel has been refurbished.

Ellie Stone, the events and conferencing officer of the hotel, is excited that visitors will be able to see the spectacle and use the revamped restaurant and bar.

She said: “We are incredibly excited because it is the first year with the refurbishment and it is a good way to encourage people to use the park and have a look at the bar and restaurant.”