This evening sees the switching on of the Christmas lights in Douglas, with parking restrictions in part of the town centre from noon and roads closed from 6pm.

The ceremony will be performed by the Mayor, Colin Cain, at the Town Hall. He will flick the switch at 7pm, with entertainment, including carols, from 6.30.

Christmas parking for shoppers on the Loch Promenade walkway started this morning, and will be available every day, from 10am to 9pm, until January 6.

There is also late night shopping in Douglas tonight, with Christmas less than a month away.

As the festive season gets fully underway, police in Douglas have issued their own Christmas message - 'come into the town and enjoy yourself, but if you're up to no good, don't bother!'

Sergeant Steve Maddox is reminding people to take sensible precautions while Christmas shopping, and says there will be a 'robust' response to any criminal or public order offences (audio file attached):

(Picture: Christmas at Douglas Town Hall, from manxscenes.com).