Football fever is so fierce that the Monks Cross shopping Centre in York has had to reschedule the turning on of its Christmas lights in order to keep shoppers happy.

The switching on of the lights, which is expected to attract thousands, was originally planned for Wednesday, November 17 - the date of the all-important England v Scotland European championship play-off.

Centre co-ordinator Jenny Hare said: "We got a call from the Manager of Sport Soccer saying that York's men will be watching the biggest match of the century on that night. As we have to consider our customers' needs, we decided to move it to Friday 19."

Mark Brayshaw, of Rockinghorse Promotions, who is supplying the lights and organising the evening said: "The switch on show starts at 6.30pm with the Viking Fm Roadshow. " Stars from the Grand Opera House and more big names will soon be confirmed and the lights will be turned on in between 7pm-7.30pm.

The shopping centre is open from 9.30am-9pm (Monday-Friday), 9am-7pm (Saturdays), from Monday, December 13.

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