Norwich will be filled with festive spirit on Thursday as the city's Christmas lights are switched on - but drivers could face delays as roads close for the big event.

With Covid concerns causing the last two festive events to be cancelled, this year's switch-on promises to be extra special.

The family-friendly event will begin at 5.45pm with free entertainment and the lights will be switched on at 7pm. 

The first road to close will be St Peters Street at 6am, this road will remain shut until 9pm.

Then from 4pm, Upper St Giles Street will close until 10.30pm.

Bank Plain, Bedford Street and Bethel Street between its junctions with St Peters Street and the Forum car park will also close at 4pm and reopen at 9pm.

The other roads to close at 4pm and reopen at 9pm are Brigg Street, Exchange Street, Gaol Hill, Gentleman’s Walk, London Street, Opie Street, Queen Street, Rampant Horse Street, St Andrews Hill, St Giles Street from Upper Goat Lane to Guildhall Hill, Tombland, Theatre Street and William Booth Street.

Traffic on routes in and around the city is expected to be busy from the early afternoon as festive revellers make their way to Norwich.