Actress Sally Phillips will join Hay-on-Wye Citizens of the Year Trish and Alan Kiddle to switch on the town’s Christmas lights this year.

Phillips will turn the on the lights on Friday, November 25 as part of her Hay Festival Winter Weekend appearance.

The free switch-on event will take place between 5pm and 7pm in Memorial Square, accompanied by carol singing, food, mulled wine and entertainment to give a rousing start to the Festival weekend, which runs to Sunday, November 27.

Sally Phillips is an award-winning actress, presenter and comedian. She co-created the sketch show Smack the Pony and starred in the acclaimed series Miranda, I’m Alan Partridge, Set the Thames on Fire and Veep, in films Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and the blockbuster Bridget Jones franchise.

Phillips is at the Festival to chair a sold-out event with brothers Manni and Reuben Coe on their illustrated memoir brother.do.you.love.me following the lights switch-on.

Fiona Howard, Hay-on-Wye Town Council deputy mayor, said: “Hay-on-Wye is delighted to be hosting Hay Festival Winter Weekend again, bringing writers and readers together for a wonderful weekend. We are delighted that Sally Phillips and Hay-on-Wye Citizens of the Year Trish and Alan Kiddle will be switching on the lights and getting us all into the festive spirit.”

Hay Festival Winter Weekend is back for a year-end wonderland of in-person events November 24-27, in multiple venues across Hay-on-Wye.