A LOCAL postman will follow in the footsteps of TV and radio celebrities by switching on a North Yorkshire village's Christmas lights this year.
Myles Boothman has been chosen to switch on the lights in Burn on November 26, after delivering in the area since 1989, and has been chosen in part to mark this year's 500th anniversary of Royal Mail.
People who have switched the lights on in Burn over the last ten years include the late actress Jean Alexander, BBC presenter Harry Gration, panto star Berwick Kaler, and the Yorkshire Rows, the four-woman Atlantic rowing team, one of whom lives in the village.
Myles, who now lives in Selby, said: "It’s great to be outdoors and see the changing seasons, and I meet some really nice people."
Rebecca Homer, Royal Mail delivery sector manager, said: "We are delighted that postman Myles has been given the honour of switching on the Burn Christmas lights especially as we are celebrating 500 years of postal services this year.
"Our hardworking postmen and women deliver the post six days a week come rain or shine and are such important parts of their local communities - no more so than at Christmas, our busiest time of the year."
The Christmas lights switch on event starts in Burn Methodist Chapel from 2pm, with the traditional Christmas Market in the chapel schoolroom from 3pm and performances by members of the Selebian Singers.
The countdown to the switch-on starts on the green opposite The Wheatsheaf at 4.45pm, followed by a visit from Santa.
Chris Phillipson, Parish Council chairman, said: "We’re one of the smallest villages in North Yorkshire and have been fortunate to attract some famous people to switch on our small number of Christmas lights. We have a fantastic community spirit and our well-loved postman Myles has contributed to that."