STOURBRIDGE is to hold its annual Christmas festival later this month to get shoppers into the seasonal spirit.

The town will be awash with festive fun between midday and 5pm on Saturday November 29.

Attractions will include a Christmas craft market, food festival, vintage steam engines and free funfair rides.

There'll also be live entertainment throughout the day in Crown Square and Fountain Square and youngsters can meet the Snow Princesses and their friends as well as Father Christmas who will also be stopping off at the event, organised by Dudley Council, Stourbridge Chamber of Trade and the Ryemarket Shopping Centre.

Councillor Hilary Bills, Dudley's cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “There’s lots on offer for families, foodies and shoppers on November 29 as part of the countdown to Christmas. I hope lots of people will turn out and support the town’s traders.”

Brierley Hill will host its annual festivities the following weekend - on Saturday December 6, with entertainment taking place from 10am to 5pm when the town's Christmas lights will be switched on in the Moor Centre.

Families can enjoy a Christmas tree festival from 11am to 2pm at St Michael's Church where there will be refreshments, stalls and decorated trees galore.

There will also be a Christmas pantomime trail in Brierley Hill High Street from 10am to 3.30pm, with panto signs dotted around the town for the eagle-eyed to spot.

Meanwhile volunteers at Insight House, Pearson Street, will be holding crafty make and take free activities for all the family from 1pm to 4pm and people can have a go at making their own Christmas cards at Brierley Hill Library from 9am to 5pm.

Donkeys, a nativity scene, steam engines, children’s funfair rides and live entertainment are also being lined up in Pearson Street, the market, ASDA, the Moor Centre and Polly’s Tea Room.

Cllr Bills said: "There’s no escaping Christmas in Brierley Hill on December 6. Lots of volunteers and traders are getting behind the festive fun and I hope people will turn out and support all the activities as well as the countdown to the lights being switched on.”