A drive-in cinema showing classic Christmas movies is coming to Coalville during the festive season.

Films such as Home Alone, Miracle of 34th Street and The Muppet Christmas Carol will be screened at a temporary site at Coalville Market.

North West Leicestershire District Council has been working with Fleckney Events to bring The BIG Festive Drive-in Cinema to the market car park from Thursday, December 17.

Over the course of the five days, there will be a surprise visit from Santa and 10 Christmas films will be showcased including the following:

• Thursday, 17 December: ELF

• Friday, 18 December: ELF

• Saturday, 19 December: The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone, Gremlins

• Sunday, 20 December: White Christmas, Arthur Christmas, Joyeux Noel

• Monday, 21 December: Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street

Tickets are £25 per car and an extra £10 for a VIP supplement which guarantees guests a spot in a reserved area closer to the screen.

Your tickets can be bought online HERE or over the phone on 0116 366 6016.

Menus will be available to view before the event and people will be able to order food and drink to their car through an order and collect system.

To ensure the event is compliant with Government restrictions, social distancing measures will be in place and large walkways will be in use throughout the site should visitors need to use toilet facilities or collect food.

Toilets will be individual units spaced at a minimum of two metres apart and will be cleaned and sanitised regularly with hand sanitising facilities also available.

The district council acknowledges that the event assumes a relaxation of the national lockdown rules and will monitor the national guidance in the coming weeks, giving further updates if required.

Councillor Tony Gillard, Portfolio Holder for Business and Regeneration at NWLDC, said: "Town centre Christmas festivities have had to be scaled back this year so we've been looking closely at Covid-safe activities we can bring to the district after the national lockdown eases.

"This cinema will no doubt be great fun for families and something a little different in the lead up to Christmas.

"We also hope it will encourage people into Coalville for some Christmas shopping before they catch their movie. Our local businesses are really going to need our support in December so let's get behind them as much as we can."

Michael Preston, Managing Director and Events Managers at Fleckney Events said: "We are thrilled to be working with North West Leicestershire District Council to bring The BIG Festive Drive-in Cinema event to Coalville this December.

"This is exactly what the local area needs to brighten up the festive period and is utilising a great space in the heart of Coalville.

"We hope that this will help to boost the High Street after such a difficult year and we look forward to working closely with the district council to bring more events like this to the Coalville area in the near future."