VICTORIAN Shownight in Weymouth will get off to a spectacular start this year when Father Christmas abseils down the side of Debenhams.

The November 29 Echo-backed event, which runs from 4-9pm, will then see Weymouth Air Cadets escort Santa to the land train with special guest Mr Jelly Bean and this year's Peter Pan panto star, ITV's Lizzie McPhee, for the trip to Brewers Quay.

Thousands of people are expected to pack the town centre for what has become a hugely popular evening.

Again the streets will be lined with stalls heaped with presents, food, crafts, games and ideas for Christmas.

There will also be a comprehensive events programme which includes Festus Derriman Morris Dancers, the Victorian juggler, slack rope walker and entertainer Justin Time, Weymouth Concert Brass, Wyke and Preston hand bell ringers, Victorian peddlars and chimney sweeps, African drummers from Budmouth Technology College, fairground booths and rides and many other attractions.

More than two dozen charity stalls will be set up on the night, ranging from the Holzwickede Society to Cancer Research, Trimar and the Thornbury Wright Trust Fund.

Many shops and businesses will be joining in the fun, their extended opening hours being manned by staff in traditional costumes.

There will be plenty to sustain shoppers as they browse their way round the bewildering selection of stalls.

They will be able to sample all the traditional delights which have become such a tempting part of Shownight including mulled wine, roast hog and roasted chestnuts.

The evening closes with the prize draw, prize-giving and a grand finale of costumed people entertaining crowds outside Debenhams.

One of the main charities to benefit from Shownight will be Trimar Hospice whose chairman Tricia Houlberg said they owed a big debt of gratitude to the RAF for flying in Santa for the event.

She added: "The RAF will have a stand near Cineworld on the night and we hope everyone supports them.

"It is an important night both for Trimar and for Weymouth. Shownight has definitely developed over the years and is now very much a family affair. It has something for everyone."

There will be free car parking in most of the town car parks including the Swannery, Park Street, Melcombe Regis, the harbourside, Governors Lane, the Loop and the council offices.