Comedy star Matt Lucas will be injecting some Christmas spirit into Hay-on-Wye when he switches on the festive lights in the market town.

The Doctor Who actor will be carrying out the duties as part of the Hay Festival Winter Weekend on Friday, November 24.

The free switch-on event will take place between 5pm and 7.30pm in The Cheese Market when there will also be carol singing, readings and evening entertainment.

And once he’s carried out the all-important task he will be talking about his new memoir Little Me: The A-Z of Matt Lucas in a ticketed event that evening.

The Hay Festival Winter Weekend will take place in the market town from November 23 to 24 when there will be more than 70 events.

Now in its 18th year, the festival blends literary conversation, immersive performances and interactive workshops.

Among the highlights this year are a talk from actors Jacob Ifan and Catrin Stewart from BBC crime drama Bang; broadcaster Jeremy Vine on What I Learnt, part autobiography and part recollection of listeners’ wisdom; author Jeanette Winterson on Ghost Night; and Owen King, son of Stephen King, talking about the new novel co-written with his father, Sleeping Beauties.

Tickets for Hay Festival Winter Weekend are on sale now at hayfestival.org or call 01497 822 629