Accrington is set to travel back in time with a ‘Dickensian’-themed Christmas night.

Warner Street will be transformed into a Victorian Christmas fair at the event, which will be held on Thursday, December 10.

The free event has been organised by businesses on the street with help from the council, and will be opened by Mayor Coun Marlene Haworth and Mayoress Dorothy Berry at 5pm.

The historic event includes street entertainers, Victorian fairground rides, market stalls, musicians, and a fire dancing fairy. Traditional children’s games will take place from 5pm to 6pm at a marquee in St James Church and at 6.30pm there will be a guided history tour of Warren Street.

At 7.30pm the Accrington Pipe Band will head a candlelight procession from the top of Warner Street to an outdoor nativity play and carol service at St James Churchyard.

Organisers are urging people to dress up in period costume and join in the procession.

Visitors will have the opportunity to have tea with ‘Queen Victoria’ who will be located in the Copper Kettle restaurant all evening.

Shops on Warner Street are staying open late and there will also be traditional stalls selling sweets, food and gifts.

Organiser Kathryn Ann Furey, owner of the New Freedom Sanctuary shop, said: “We all loved the idea, the street is Georgian and it just fits perfectly. This is the way Christmas would have gone on when the street was built.

“We are all really excited to bring some magic back into Accrington.”