SANTA and soccer join forces on Thursday evening for the switch-on of Huddersfield's Christmas lights.

Huddersfield Town manager Peter Jackson will be guest of honour at the ceremony on the Piazza.

Later, Santa will travel by a special train to the Kingsgate Centre, where he will switch on the lights.

The family fun begins at 4.30pm.

Entertaining the Piazza crowd will be Home 107.9FM presenters Paul and Paula, with live entertainment, games and give-aways.

Jacko takes the stage at 5.30pm to give interviews and sign autographs, before turning on the town's festive light at 6.30pm.

The Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band, the current European champions, will round off the event as Santa catches the train to Kingsgate.

Professor Popoff's road train will give rides around the centre in the run-up to Christmas Day.

Rides cost just 10p and all proceeds are for Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton.

The train will run from the public library, along Victoria Lane, down King Street to Kingsgate, then back up King Street, along New Street and down Ramsden Street.

The four stopping points will be the library, Burger King, Marks & Spencer on New Street and Dolland & Aitchison.

Thursday's switch-on marks the start of late-night Thursday shopping in Huddersfield.

Many shops will remain open until 8pm, while more will also trade on Sundays.

On-street parking and spaces in Kirklees car parks will be free on Sundays and from 4pm on Thursdays.

Full details of festive entertainment, shop opening hours and the timetable of Professor Popoff's train can be found in the Christmas brochure available in libraries and tourist information centres.