Towns across West Cumbria are gearing up to formally begin their countdowns to Christmas.

Lights switch ons are planned across the area in the coming weeks, beginning this weekend.

Maryport's lights will be switched on on Saturday, November 18, a week earlier than usual.

Children from each of the town's schools will switch on the lights with Workington MP Sue Hayman.

Senhouse Street will be closed to traffic for the event, which runs from 2pm until 6pm.

There will be children’s rides, Santa’s grotto, charity stalls and entertainment, free mulled wine, tea, coffee and mince pies.

The lights will be switched on around 5.30pm.

The festive fun will move to Cockermouth on Sunday, November 19.

The town's Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm and the town council has organised a fun-filled afternoon in the lead up to the big moment.

From 2pm Main Street will be full of festive folk, fun, food and entertainment.

Cockermouth Music Centre band will be first on the Main Street stage at 2pm. They will be followed by Stagecoach Theatre at 2.30pm and Jack Moore on sax at 3pm.

There will be a Santa's grotto, funfair and stilt walkers as well as lots of local charity stalls.

Mandy's Dancing Divas will take to the stage at 3.30pm, followed by Luke Matear at 4.30pm.

Mayor of Cockermouth Alan Tyson will be joined by two pupils from each of the town's primary schools to switch on the lights.

The final act of the night will be Brightside, who will take to the stage once the lights are on and play until 6pm.

Keswick's switch on will take place on Friday, November 24, with internet superstar springer spaniels Max and Paddy as the guests of honour.

Christmas food and gift fayre between 10am and 7pm, with entertainment from singer Kev Kendal at 5.30pm and Committed 2 Rock Choir at 6.15pm.

The Lake District Tree of Light, organised by the town's Rotary club, will be switched on at 6.30pm,

Max and Paddy, whose adventures in the Lake District have captured the hearts of thousands on social media, will switch on the main lights at 7pm.

Organisers are advising people to leave their dogs at home on the day, as Market Square can be busy during events.

The Workington Christmas Festival will take place on December 2, with events in the town centre from 10am to 6.30pm.

A festive market will be held on Murray Road, Finkle Street and under the Hub.

Seasonal stalls and a funfair will bring the market to life, while there will be face painting, arts and crafts and storytelling in Finkle Street.

A stage on Murray Road will host performances from Workington Town Band, Workington and District Amateur Musical Society, Cory Spedding's Pitch Perfect Choir and Lee Adams, ahead of headliners Hardwicke Circus, from Carlisle.

The Hub will host entertainment from Courtney Gill, Singing School, poet John Hastings, TheatreStars Academy and the Bread and Butter Theatre Company.

The Rotary Club of Workington will host Santa's grotto and there will be an umbrella parade from the new leisure centre to the main stage.

The lights are set to be switched on at 6pm by Hardwicke Circus and town mayor Ann Bales.

Seaton will also hold its Christmas lights switch on on December 2, with events taking place in the car park next to the Main Street shops.

There will be entertainment from 4pm including face painting, glitter tattoos and songs from the village's choirs.

The lights will be switched on at 5pm.

Sunday, December 3 will see Aspatria launch its festive countdown.

The town's Christmas festival will begin at 4.15pm when Santa visits the hamlet of Hayton.

He will then travel from Aspatria Business Park to the Brandraw car park.

There will be entertainment in the Beacon Hill School hall and music from local band Brightside.

Santa will lead a countdown by the Christmas tree at 5.30pm before heading to a grotto in the school hall to meet children.

Distington will also host a lights switch on on December 3.

It will take place at the clock tower on Main Street from 6pm.

The event is being organised by Distington Big Local in conjunction with Distington Club for Young People.

Santa will give out presents to youngsters. There will be refreshments, a snow machine and carol singing at the club for young people.

Villagers in Broughton Moor will gather at the school at 3.30pm on December 5 for a carol service before walking to the village crossroads for the switch on on the Christmas tee lights.

This will be followed by a get together in the parish hall with refreshments and sweets for the children.