BRACKNELL developers are promising 'plenty of fun' at this year's Christmas light switch on despite there being no room for fireworks. 

With Charles Square out of bounds due to the town centre regeneration work, the annual firework display will not light up the skies this year but the regeneration partnership responsible for organising the festivities have enlisted the help of some wintery friends to add to the occasion. 

A display of Humboldt penguins will be open outside Princess Square on Sunday, November 29 with talks from their handlers to help raise awareness of the endangered species, all part of the day's 'Penguin Party' theme. 

Children's character Pingu will appear throughout the day on the upper level of Princess Square every hour between 12-3pm while shops will offer entertainment and discounts on penguin themed products to mark the beginning of the Christmas season in Bracknell town centre. 

Rob Morris, general manager for BRP, said: "Christmas is a very important part of the retail calendar and so we have come up with a programme of great events to launch Christmas in the town centre. We knew we would not have the space to have the normal fireworks event this year with the closure of Charles Square, and so have put together a day of activities instead.

"We are hoping to bring back the fireworks event next year, but this year we hope that everyone enjoys the visit of the Humboldt penguins as something a bit different."

Santa’s Workshop will also open its doors for the first time on November 29 where children will be able to decorate penguin money boxes. The workshop will be open every weekend in the run up to Christmas between 11am-4pm. 

The lights will be switched on by borough mayor Cllr Dee Hamilton and town mayor Cllr Mark Phillips at 4.30pm.

One lucky youngster could join the mayors on stage to switch on the lights after the Regeneration

Partnership launched a competition for those aged five to 15 to win a chance to take part. 

To enter, people should explain in no more than 200 words why they would like to switch on the lights in the town and send it to competitions@bracknell.co.uk or post to Pick Me BRP, 13th Floor, Ocean House, The Ring, Bracknell RG12 1AX. 

The closing date is 5pm on Friday, November 20 and entrants must be available on Sunday, November 29.