David Ruffley said:- 'I am delighted to be able to switch on the Christmas lights with Councillor Christopher Spicer, Mayor of St Edmundsbury, and Santa Claus this year in Bury St Edmunds.

I am very pleased to be switching the lights on for the first time in my fourteen year tenure as Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. I am even more pleased that the ceremony is set to be the most exciting yet with market stalls, live music, fairground attractions and late night shopping .

The borough of St Edmundsbury sees its largest turnover, just under £1.2 million, from the wholesale and retail markets, and in the current economic climate it is more important than ever to support our local economy. I urge everyone to make sure their Christmas shopping is from our great town for a Merry Christmas and a Happy Financial New Year!'