THIS Christmas tree will be transformed into a beacon of dazzling lights when it is switched on this Friday.

Local businesses clubbed together to provide the backdrop of Christmas lights as children visit the Magic Christmas Tree in Parliament Street.

There will also be a Tree Of Life in St Helen's Square, which has been decorated by local artist Helen Turner.

Children can also post their letters to Father Christmas in the post box at the Mansion House.

The Children's Christmas Fayre will see a wide range of attractions on offer from this Friday to Sunday.

Council chiefs are not planning a large-scale event for the Parliament Street switch-on, but the lights are set go on at some point during Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, women in York will be lighting up Coppergate shopping centre tomorrow.

Members of Women Without Walls - a networking group of the most senior women in York's major organisations - will be switching on the Christmas lights in St Mary's Square.

Coppergate Centre manager Diana Golding, a member of the group, said: "Christmas promises to be brighter than ever at the Coppergate centre this year.

"If you have small children, don't miss the "Magical Music Box" which this year is collecting on behalf of Shopmobility York."

Other members of Women Without Walls include Dianne Willcocks, vice chancellor of York St John University, York Museums Trust chief executive Janet Barnes, and former Press editor Liz Page.

The lights will be switched on at 6pm.

* Charity volunteers from Easingwold Lions are preparing to descend on communities with their 40ft-long Santa's sleigh. They will be dishing out chocolates to children and raising money for local charities. Santa will be in Rawcliffe on December 2, between 4pm and 8pm, and at Skelton on December 3, between 4pm and 8pm.