Festive lights will be switched on across one Black Country borough from as early as next month in time for the Diwali festival.

The early switch-on in Sandwell will mark the Hindu festival of lights, with the lights set to stay up until the Christmas season.

Organisers are hoping to get crowds flocking to the grand unveilings and have vowed to keep traders involved in the celebration plans.

Lights will be going up from as early October 24 in West Bromwich and October 28 in Smethwick High Street and Cape Hill.

Last year, Sandwell Council was criticised for taking over control of the festive switch-ons in all six towns, with traditional organisers in some areas claiming they had been left out.

But this year council chiefs said they have been working closely with traders across the borough ahead of the borough’s £70,000 celebrations.

Sandwell Council cabinet member for Safer Communities, Councillor Derek Rowley, said anybody who wanted to join in with making the Christmas lights even better was very welcome.

“In Tipton, the businesses are very much involved in the preparations and the activities that will take place on the day of the switch on,” he said.

“And in Langley, they have a very supportive business community who work with local councillors and the town committee to put on a great switch-on event every year.”

The first lights in West Bromwich will be launched at 6.30pm on October 24 along the area from the Days Inn Hotel to Beeches Road.

Other displays in the town will be switched on in Stone Cross on November 27 at 5pm and in the Carters Green Memorial Gardens on December 6 at 5.30pm.

In Smethwick, the High Street and Cape Hill switch-ons both take place between 4 and 4.30pm on October 28, followed by the Bearwood lights on November 15.

Blackheath’s switch-on event has been restored to its traditional Saturday evening slot at 5pm on November 29.

The lights in Old Hill will go on at 5pm on November 15, while the switch will be flicked on the lights in Cradley Heath Upper High Street at 4.30pm on December 5.

Oldbury town centre will be illuminated from November 20, with a switch-on at the council house in Freeth Street, with traders unveiling the displays in Langley High Street from 6.30pm on November 28.

In Tipton, the town’s community association will launch a display in Owen Street at 6pm on November 29, with Great Bridge following on December 5 with a launch at The Lounge Bar in Market Place at 6.30pm.

Wednesbury will be lit up from November 28 with a ceremony in Union Street at 7pm.