THE final preparations are being made for Ilkley's brightest festive celebration this weekend.

Star of the Harry Potter films, Matthew Lewis, will this year add his name to the list of celebrities who have had the honour of officially switching on the town's Christmas Lights at around 5pm on Saturday.

Matthew, 15, plays Hogwarts School pupil Neville Longbottom in the big-screen adaptations of J K Rowling's popular children's books. He will be the youngest guest to have switched on Ilkley's lights, and follows in the footsteps of celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh, Sir Jimmy Savile, newsreader Peter Levy and weatherman Paul Hudson.

Matthew is currently working on the fourth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Organisers of the big switch-on are inviting families to make a day of it by enjoying the afternoon in Ilkley and the countdown to the Christmas lights. Ilkley Festivities Committee spokesman, David Giddings said: "We welcome everyone to Ilkley this weekend and hope everyone enjoys the fun. We look forward to our Harry Potter star switching on the lights at five o'clock."

The celebration will begin before 5pm with a parade from Springs Lane to The Grove led by the Ilkley town crier, and carol singing. The Grove will be closed off to traffic, and crowds traditionally take to the streets for the carol-singing and lights switch-on.

Bradford Council will waive parking charges at the town's central car park on the day, to encourage people to spend the day in Ilkley shopping, or taking in the sights.

To create some extra festive atmosphere, there will be carol singers performing around the town centre during the day, and music at the bandstand on The Grove.