THE newly-reopened town hall in Port St Mary will host the Lieutenant Governor as its guest at this year's ‘Celebration of Christmas’.

Festivities at the event, which takes place a week today, will include an artisan market, seasonal music, readings and a mystery guest from the North Pole.

Event committee chair Robbie Cooil says for the first time in many years the village has a wonderful new public space in which the people of Port St Mary can gather and celebrate.

He says for that reason, for him especially, this year's will be particularly poignant.