She will be the special guest at the switch-on of Beverley's Christmas lights on Saturday November 29.

This year the town will shine brighter than ever, thanks to the fundraising efforts of volunteers who have raised thousands of pounds for new displays.

The event will get under way with a ceremony at the Market Cross at 3pm, where the lights will be switched on by the Mayor of Beverley, Councillor Ken Thorley and the president of Beverley Lions, Peter Doughty.

A short service will be led by the Rev Ruth Crompton, Beverley's superintendent Methodist Minister and carols will be sung by the Molescroft School Choir.

Bertie Beaver and the Beverley Pipe Band will lead the way to the Christmas tree in Cross Street, where Eleanor will switch on the lights.

The procession will then move onto Angel Square, where she will also flick the switch to light up the tree and Beverley Brass Band will play festive carols.

Members of the Chamber of Trade will give out prizes for their competition to design Bertie Beaver's Christmas tree.

This year new lighting displays have been erected on steel columns from North Bar Within through Saturday Market, with a new banner light across Dyer Lane. New lights will be installed on the Beverley Lions' Christmas tree at the Market Cross, and the Tree of Thoughts to be erected in Wednesday Market will raise money for the Macmillan cancer charity.

The Beverley Christmas Lights Group has raised around £20,000 this year from activities and donations, including a £5,000 gift from an anonymous donor and a £5,000 contribution from Beverley Town Council.

The group was launched three years ago following complaints about Beverley's lacklustre Christmas lights display, and since then the town has been getting brighter each year.

Susan Oliver, a member of the fundraising team, said: "We are really excited about the fact that we are able to light up such a large part of the town now. Hopefully people will see a major impact from the fundraising efforts."

The organisers are hoping that large numbers of townsfolk will go along to the switch-on ceremonies.