Shepton Mallet's annual Christmas lights switch-on event has been cancelled this year, but the town will still be lit-up for the festive period.

The decision to cancel the event, which is organised by Shepton Mallet Chamber of Commerce and supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council and would usually see a large number of local residents coming to enjoy the festive entertainment and browse the shops and community stalls before the official switch-on, had to be made due to the announcement of the second lockdown.

However, the council has worked for many weeks to get the Christmas tree and lights organised and these will be installed as usual.

A spokesperson for the chamber of commerce said: "None of us would have wanted this dreadful pandemic but this town has worked amazingly well together, and it has brought us all closer together as a great team.

"While the cancellation of the switch-on event will not come as a surprise to anyone, it is a shame that yet another of our much-loved annual events won't be happening in 2020.

"However, the town will still look festive and bring Christmas cheer with the Christmas tree taking pride of place in the Market Place, thanks to the determined efforts of the Shepton Mallet Town Council who do such a great job organising the installation of the tree and lights year-after-year."

It is hoped the switch-on event will return next year in a "bigger and better" capacity.