Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has set out a provisional list of events for 2021 - depending on the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in the new year.

With almost all of last year's calendar wiped out in the town due to the pandemic, the council's Events & Entertainment Committee saw plans for the coming 12 months.

And that included switching on the Christmas lights in Ashby early once more to boost the town's trader during November.

Shops and businesses were hit hard by last month's lockdown and the council is keen to support them, particularly as the country gradually comes out of the worst of the coronavirus crisis.

The provision diary of events for next year is as follows:

Ashby & Coalville Comedy Festival - already cancelled for 2021

Commonwealth Day, Ashby War Memorial, March 8

Ashby 20 Road Race - already cancelled

Ashby Big Tidy Up - date to be decided in April

Mayor's Civic Service - St Helen's Church, date to be decided in April

Mayor's Civic Dinner - Willesley Golf Club, date to be decided in May

Ashby Arts Festival - Ivanhoe College, May 7

StrEATfood Social Festival - May 15, Bath Grounds

Ashby Food & Drink Festival - May 29/30, Bath Grounds

Fake Festival - June 5, Bath Grounds

Pithiviers Twinning Visit & Civic Reception - June 5, Ivanhoe College

Blackfordby Open Gardens Weekend - Blackfordby on date to be decided

Ivanhoe Way Challenge - date to be decided in June

Ashby Real Fest and Carnival - June 19, Bath Grounds

Ashby Scooter Rally & Music Festival - date to be decided in July, town centre

Ashby Show - July 11, Cattows Harm, Heather

Jim's Tractor Run - July 25, Bath Grounds (10th anniversary)

Ashby Open Gardens - date to be decided

Ashby Inside Out event - date to be decided, off Market Street

Ashby Statutes - September 17-21, Market Street and Brook Street

National Forest Way Challenge - September 17-19

Ashby FABulous - October 2, Market Street

Armistice Day - November 11, Ashby War Memorial

Remembrance Sunday - November 14, Market Street, St Helen's Church, Holy Trinity Church

Ashby Christmas Fair & Market - December 4/5, Market Street and Brook Street

Santa Fun Run & Walk - December 5, start and finish on Bath Grounds

Carols Around The Christmas Tree - December 24, Market Street.

Ashby's Town Centre Manager Stuart Benson told committee members: "Hopefully, we can get some events off the ground next year.

"We've got a good line up already, but it depends on whether Public Health allows them to go ahead."

Councillors also discussed the possibility of switching on the Christmas lights as early as possible next year.

"I think after what's gone on, and heaven knows how much longer it's going to go on for, traders need all the help they can get," said Cllr Graham Allman.

"The earlier we start the lights, the better, I would suggest the last week in November. It gives people a bit longer to get some money back.

"There could be a small, switch-on event with schools involved, then the Christmas Fair as the major event. We could do both."

Cllr Barbara Kneale added: "It really cheered everybody up this year to see the lights on Market Street."

Council leader confirms Ashby Christmas lights for 2020.