EXCITING new plans for Bourton-on-the-Water's Victorian late-night Christmas event have been agreed by the parish council and the chamber of commerce.

The Chamber held a meeting on Friday and decided to put a podium in the River Windrush for the panto group to perform on. The parish council has accepted the idea at its last meeting.

Secretary of the Bourton Panto Group Kathleen Punchard said: Last year we performed on a trailer but people could not see because it was too big."

Norman Jones, chairman of the chamber of commerce, said: "It is terribly difficult to make a large trailer look Victorian."

The podium will be used for the opening ceremony and for the panto group to sing carols.

Mrs Punchard said: "This event is always popular, for the last two years it has poured with rain and people still come along.

"We are discussing extra parking as well because there will be so many people coming into the village."

District and parish councillor Sheila Jeffrey said: "Some people say the event is getting too commercial but where do you have the balance?

"I think it is a lovely event, I enjoy going each year and I fully support it."