HUNDREDS of people gathered in Pershore on Saturday for the eagerly awaited switching-on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Organised by the Pershore Youth Council for the second year running, the event was full of Christmas cheer and began in fine fashion with music from local ceilidh band The Rocking Crows.

There were various stalls selling lots of Christmassy items and hot punch and even Father Christmas and his reindeer found time to make a visit.

Broad Street was packed and the honour of the actual switch-on went to three local pupils who won a Christmas card design competition; Isabel Hempstead from Abbey Park First School, Ruth Bennett from Abbey Park Middle School and Liberty Deaville from Holy Redeemer RC Primary School.

Ruth Bennett was the overall winner and a card using her design has been printed and is on sale to raise funds for the mayor’s charities Macmillan Cancer Support and The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The switch-on of the lights was accompanied by a firework display and on cue, a small amount of snow fell during the event to complete the festive scene for those watching in the street below.