Liz does the biz - film star Hurley to turn us on this Christmas (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Liz does the biz - film star Hurley to turn us on this Christmas

ACTRESS, movie producer and model Liz Hurley, will switch on this year's Christmas lights, the Standard can exclusively reveal.

Ms Hurley - star of Hollywood hits Edtv and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - will be the guest of honour at Cirencester Advent Market on Friday, November 21.

And at 7pm the 'face of Estee Lauder' will flick the switch that will bathe the town in a festive glow.

This week Mark Harris, president of Cirencester Chamber of Commerce which, with Cirencester Town Council and the Standard organises the annual event, said: "It's been a nail-biting wait since Ms Hurley indicated, earlier this year, that she would like to switch on Cirencester's Christmas lights.

"With her busy Hollywood and modelling schedules we appreciate the commitment Ms Hurley has made to her new home town by agreeing to be our VIP for the evening."

Ms Hurley moved into a £2.75m country retreat just outside Cirencester in March this year with her one-year-old son Damian.

Liz, who last week hosted the catwalk-meets-concert event Fashion Rocks in aid of the Princes Trust - which involved 17 costume changes - heads a long list of attractions.

Santa will once again pay a visit to the market, where he will invite children to visit him in his grotto.

There will be live music from seasonal supergroup Santa's Little Helpers, the band of the Salvation Army and Cirencester Parish Church Choir.

The latter two will lead a candlelit procession through the town before the lights are switched on and later will join spectators for carols under the tree.

They will be joined by cast members from Swindon's Wyvern Theatre pantomime - Goldilocks And The Three Bears - and presenters from BBC Radio Gloucestershire, who will compere the event.

Roving street entertainers are sure to please the children and - of course - there will be plenty of opportunities to buy Christmas gifts from the special market stalls and Cirencester's shops, which will be staying open late for the occasion.

* For more exclusive Advent Market news as it breaks, pick up your Standard every week.