Richard Parr More than one hundred jobs are being created as preparations move forward for the 2009 Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

Richard Parr

More than 100 jobs are being created in preparations for the 2009 Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

Temporary posts, including costume ironers and pressers, front-of-house stewards, cleaners and bar staff, are being recruited ready for the launch on November 7 of the seasonal event - billed as the largest show of its kind in the country.

The 86 afternoon and evening performances have already sold out and a total of 127,000 people from all over the country are set to see the show before it ends on December 23. However, any returned tickets will be put on sale.

This will be the 33rd year that the show, known nationwide as a magical mix of the sacred and the secular celebration of the festive season and devised entirely by its founder and director John Cushing, has been staged in the tiny hamlet of Thursford, near Fakenham.

Each year, the Thursford Collection auditorium is transformed into a winter wonderland and already silver birch trees have been felled to be sprayed white and set into their tubs as part of the Christmas decorations.

After each season, facilities at the complex are updated and improved and this year a �90,000 digital mixer console desk has been installed.

Thursford Christmas show general manager Geraldine Rye said that preparations now started in earnest and everything went ahead like a military operation to ensure all elements of the production were in place ready for the opening show.

"The place is a hive of activity as we come to the end of the summer season and start getting ready for the Christmas Spectacular. Costumes are now in production and the team of dancers, having been auditioned in London, have had their first fittings. Singers and dancers will have their costume fittings in the next couple of weeks.

"The silver birch trees will be sprayed and the shops will be stocked with their Christmas goods. The whole thing is gaining pace," said Ms Rye.

Seats are still available for the Thursford Last Night of the Proms concert on September 29 when many British favourites, including Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and musical items from My Fair Lady will be performed by musicians of the Grenadier Guards and singers.

For tickets for the Proms show (�16.50) and the Christmas Spectacular returns, call the box office on 01328 878477.