THE sights and sounds of Christmas past will come to life in Whalley village on Thursday, December 13.

Whalley Village Pickwick Night festivities start at 6pm, when the village centre will come alive to the sights and sounds of a host of entertainment.

There will be brass bands, fairground organs, choirs, fire-eaters and morris dancers.

The village car park will be transformed into a mini fairground.

Father Christmas will be there to hear children's Christmas present wishes in the Methodist Church Hall.

Two acts are are joining in this year's event for the first time - the Yarrow River Jazz Band and the Victorians' Choir.

The shops stay open until 9pm with staff donning Victorian-style dress and selling Yuletide gifts and fare.

At 6.30pm Whalley Church of England Primary School will stage a musical called The North Pole Goes Rock 'n' Roll.

The main street will be closed off to vehicles.

Visitors should be able to avoid car-parking problems as there is a free park-and-ride scheme from Oakhill College and Whalley train station.

The festive evening is being sponsored by Railtrack.