HARRY Redknapp will turn on the Christmas lights as part of a fun-filled festive day in Poole.

On November 30, there will be entertainment for children in Falkland Square starting at midday, including competitions with prizes to be won.

Ailsa Wilson, from Poolebid, said: “The light switch-on will be at be at 5:45pm. It was pushed back to fit in with Harry’s busy schedule.

“We have seasonal entertainment on the stage. We have a full programme of entertainment.”

Redknapp, who was on I’m a Celebrity… Get me Out of Here! this time last year, is expecting to attract at least 500 people to Poole to start the festive season.

Ailsa continued: “Harry is very behind what we are trying to do for Poole. There is a negative perception about the quality of the high street.

“I think he is really supportive of what we are trying to do to promote Poole as a good high street.

“We have unique shops, some have been there for 200 years. Poole suffers from bad press and Harry, as a local, knows that actually it’s a good place.

Ailsa also said that Harry Redknapp’s appearance fee will be donated to the Lewis Manning Hospice – a charity in East Dorset that helps people with life limiting illnesses.

From midday, entertainment will include performances from the United Stage Academy, Kids Fun Club and Chimney Fish.

Jamie Jigsaw will also be there to dazzle the children with magic. Lee Rasdall-Dove will be singing and so will the Love Soul Choir.

Marion Le Poidevin, Mayor of Poole, will also be attending the event.

The fun-filled festivities are expecting to last until approximately 6pm when the lights will be on and Christmas will have officially started.

The Christmas spirit will continue on Sunday, as Santa will arrive on Poole Quay at 9am before taking a boat trip around the bay with children from the Old Town Infant School.

At 11:30 Santa will begin is procession from Poole Quay to Old Orchard before finishing in Falkland Square.