WORCESTER'S streets will once again throng with visitors as the popular Victorian Christmas Fayre kicks off this weekend.

Mayor of Worcester Roger Knight will lead the official opening procession for the 23rd Victorian Christmas Fayre on Thursday afternoon.

The event will start at the Guildhall at 5pm with the Cathedral Voluntary Choir singing outside.

The procession will leave the Guildhall at 5.15pm and make its way into High Street, St Swithins Street and Mealcheapen Street.

The Salvation Army will play in the Cornmarket to welcome the procession at around 5.25pm.

An opening ceremony will begin at 5.30pm with a welcome by Canon Michael Brierley before Once in Royal David's City is sung.

A reading from Reverend Helen Caine will be heard along with a blessing and prayer by Canon Brierley and the singing of In the Bleak Midwinter.

Coun Knight will give a speech of welcome at 5.45pm and there will be speeches from people representing Worcester's twinning partners - Karl Heinz Koster, from Kleve, Annie Serin, from Le Vesinet, Vydas Paknys and Neringa Adomaviciene, both from Ukmerge, Lithuania.

The Fayre will be officially opened at 5.55pm.

Coun Knight said: "The Victorian Christmas Fayre is always a delightful event in our year.

"The streets come alive with visitors, music, entertainment and delicious food and drink.

"It truly is an occasion not to be missed.”

The Fayre will run from noon until 9pm on Thursday, November 26, 11am until 9pm on Friday, November 27, 10am until 8pm on Saturday, November 28 and 11am until 5pm on Sunday, November 29.

A park and ride service has been organised to cover the Fayre in the hope it will ease congestion around the city.

The service, organised through Worcestershire County Council's Sustainable Transport Unit and First Bus Group will run from County Hall to Worcester Crowngate Bus Station from 8.40am to 8.10pm on Saturday and from 9.45am to 5.10pm on Sunday.

Prices, including parking and return bus travel, are £2.50 for an adult ticket, £1 for a child under 16 and free for children under five.

Also available is a bargain group ticket which covers a driver and up to six passengers for £5.

Rail company London Midland has also agreed to add extra carriages to accommodate more passengers on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be extra carriages on 26 services to Foregate Street and Shrub Hill from the Birmingham and Hereford directions on Saturday while 14 trains on Sunday will be enlarged.

Brenda Lawrence of London Midland said: “We expect to be very busy this weekend so the advice remains – allow plenty of time to make your journey and don’t rely on the last train home or you could be disappointed."

Staff at Acorns Children's Hospice, based in Mealcheapen Street, will be dressed up to support the Fayre and will be selling vintage items and collectibles.

Information about all events and activities taking place across Worcester city centre is available at christmasinworcester.com