A TOP ambulance official has been invited to switch on the Christmas lights in a North Yorkshire village as part of its commitment to recognise ‘local heroes’.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service Divisional Commander Paul Mudd will be following in the footsteps of celebrities including the late Jean Alexander - Coronation Street’s Hilda Ogden - BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and York’s veteran panto dame, Berwick Kaler, who have all performed the role over the past decade in Burn, near Selby.

Organisers say they wanted a ‘top ranking member of a much-valued emergency service as the official switcher-onner’ for this year’s event, which takes place from about 4.45pm on Saturday on the village green.

“Monies collected at the lights event and then throughout the year will be donated to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund, which provides free community first aid training and community defibrillators,” said a spokeswoman.

“Minster FM Presenter Victoria Charles and the Minster Monster Mascot will also be taking part to set a seasonal tone with Christmas-themed music and games.

“The festivities kick off with the traditional Burn Methodist Chapel Tree Festival, which is open from 2pm to 6pm, with refreshments served during the afternoon.”

She said a Christmas Market would also be staged in the chapel schoolroom from 3pm, which included stalls with gifts, cards, cakes, crafts, a plant stall and a tombola.

“There’s also a Morrisons Christmas specials taster stall. Following her successful visit to Burn Big Lunch in the summer, Philippa, Morrisons Community Champion, is back with some seasonal goodies to try and an opportunity to place Christmas orders.”

Soap star Jean, who was made Honorary Mayoress of Burn after switching on the lights in 2008, spoke later of how Christmas was ‘such a fun time’ in Burn, adding: “It’s a very small village with a big community spirit and I love being there.”

Others performing the honours in recent years include the Yorkshire Rows, all-female Atlantic rowing team, and local postman, Myles Boothman.