CHILDREN are being encouraged to dress as characters from the Nativity to celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Petersfield.

Organisers of the Christmas lights switch-on event in Petersfield town centre are looking for The Square to be filled with angels, shepherds, wise men, Marys, Josephs and other characters for the festive event on Friday, November 27.

St Peter’s Church will be recreating a Nativity scene for the event and it is hoped youngsters will dress up as their favourite character from the story on the night.

The Post’s photographer will be there to take as many pictures as possible of those youngsters who are able to dress up in the Nativity theme and we will then publish as many of those images as possible in our December 2 issue.

Post Series editor Graeme Moir said:?“We are trying to make this as traditional an event as possible, so the Nativity theme fits perfectly with what we are trying to achieve.

“With schools preparing for their Nativity plays around this time as well, parents will be getting costumes ready for their children so they could give them an airing for the evening around the town centre.

“Young children love the idea of fancy dress so what better theme than linking it to the story which explains the meaning of Christmas.

“The organisers have given careful consideration to the theme for this event so it is important to get as many children as possible dressed for the Nativity theme.

“This really will add to the magic of the event and help create a magical start to the Christmas season.”

The Christmas lights switch-on event will be held in The Square from 5-7.30pm on Friday, November 27.

The event is being jointly run between the Post, Petersfield Town Council, St Peter’s Church and Petersfield Festivals. Don’t miss next week’s Post for your full guide to the event.