BE prepared for a magical trip back in time on the weekend of November 23-25 as Ulverston hosts its ever popular Dickensian Christmas Festival.

This will be the 18th year of the event, which this time promises to be better than ever as a dazzling selection of entertainment and events take place around the huge array of stalls offering Christmas themed goods of endless variety.

The event, which always attracts thousands of visitors who revel in the wonderful atmosphere created, is essentially based around a themed Christmas market, in which a vast range of stalls line the streets of the market town.

All the usual stalls previous visitors have come to know and love will be back again this year, with their displays of gifts and specialist goods sure to once again attract eager buyers, and plenty of food stalls ready to cater for their needs, with the 'Made in Cumbria' stalls offering locally produced goods a particular favourite in the food court.

But of course in addition to the stalls, there will be a rich choice of entertainment to choose from, with every taste catered for and the usual fancy dress competition as everyone gets in the party spirit.

There will as ever be a number of brass bands playing, and music of all sorts will be heard in various venues, with many pubs in the town hosting bands off all musical types.

And the organisers have stressed that this year they are placing particular emphasis on children's entertainment and are aiming to have a string of events continuing throughout the weekend which will keep the younger visitors enthralled.

In addition to the usual fairground and donkey rides, there promises to be particular excitement around the Laurel and Hardy Museum, where Santa's Grotto will be stationed, and outside the museum a marquee will be in place which will house a stage where various acts will perform including jesters and a group who will teach circus skills.

But while the kids are kept amused, there's plenty of things going on for older visitors, including displays, concerts and novelty acts, one exhibit entitled 'The Grand Exhibition of Contraptions and Curiosities' sounding particularly intriguing.

The event kicks off with the arrival of Santa on the Friday evening and the showpiece event of the weekend is the main parade, which takes place at 3pm on the Saturday, followed by the lights switch on in Market Place at 4pm.

In addition, the popular Dickensian Murder Mystery evening will be staged once again, the event this year taking place at 7pm on Friday, November 16 at the Old Mill in Bardsea, with coach transport provided from Ulverston.

The classic movie Oliver will also be shown at the town's cinema during the weekend.

All in all, it promises to be a memorable event which will bring in the Festive season in style.