LEO Washington Mackay has the honour of switching on Haddington’s Christmas lights next weekend.

Leo was the last ever winner of the John Lockhart Award for Young Achievers, receiving the award during the Haddington Festival in the summer.

Leo, from Acredales, has Down’s Syndrome and was nominated for the award due to his exceptional work with the Active Schools Disability Activity Programme.

The big switch on takes place at 5.45pm next Sunday (November 30), with an afternoon of activities planned for the Corn Exchange.

This year’s festivities get under way on St Andrew’s Day at 1pm, with the lights switch-on taking place later in the evening.

The festivities kick off with a free entry craft and gift fair at the Corn Exchange.

Various items ranging from fused glass to homemade dog treats and hand-knitted items to fairy doors mean it is the perfect place to find that special Christmas gift. At 2pm, Santa will arrive at his grotto to welcome the little ones and hear their Christmas wishes until 4pm.

There will be a festive cafe offering hot rolls, festive home baking and freshly made soup.

Jan Wilson, chairwoman of the town’s community council, was hoping for a big turnout on the day.

She said: “Each year there has been a better turnout.” East Coast FM will be providing live music outside from 3pm and the day will culminate in the torchlight parade at 4.45pm, followed by a carol service at 5.15pm, led by the Rev Jennifer Macrae from St Mary’s Parish Church.

Then, it is on to the main event at 5.45pm, when Leo will switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

Last year, saw the first phase of a new Christmas lights system, with lights put up along High Street.

This year, there are lights being put up on the town’s Market Street with plans for Hardgate to be lit up in 2015.

Mrs Wilson said: “We have had to get the infrastructure in place and we are just completing phase two of the three-phase programme.

“Next year, we are going to try to put lights on Hardgate so the whole triangle is lit up for Christmas.” Last year saw more than £20,000 spent on the lights, with a similar figure expected to be spent this year and more money spent over the next 12 months.

From there, it should simply be a case of maintenance, with the figures dropping down.

Mrs Wilson added: “It would be nice if members of the public put their hand in their pocket on Sunday.

“If they want to make a donation they can do so to myself and I will pass it on to the group. It costs a lot of money and we get quite exhausted having to fundraise.

“We’re hoping the Hogmanay bash (which will feature the Spangles and Beckett) will help the funds too.” Tickets to see Santa, priced at £2, plus torches for the torchlight parade, can be purchased inside the craft and gift fair.