Celebratory cheers and festive songs echoed out around a busy town centre as hundreds of people turned out for the Christmas lights switch-on event in Southwold.
With the popular annual tradition being held on a Saturday for 'the first time in many years,' organisers and businesses were delighted with how the event had gone.
Staff at a number of shops throughout the town centre decorated their front windows and dressed in a range of Disney outfits for the occasion, and after town mayor Melanie Tucker had welcomed the crowds for the 'community event,' there were loud cheers as Father Christmas led the special countdown before the lights illuminated the town.
Sue Allen, chairman of the Christmas light committee, said: 'We are really pleased with the turn-out. As a committee, we feel that changing the time of the switch-on has really worked.'
The Southwold and Reydon Corps of Drums had started the afternoon's entertainment, as they performed in the Market Place. Performances followed by the choir, the Sole Bay Singers, the Tuba Swingy Band and the Wrentham Band before Father Christmas was led up the High Street and passed the excited crowds by the Leiston Royal British Legion Band.
And after the lights had been switched on, there were joyous renditions of three carols – with cast members from the Reydon and Southwold pantomime group, accompanied by the Wrentham Band, leading the songs.
The town mayor, Melanie Tucker, said: 'This event has been organised locally, for the community. This is the first time for many years that the event has been held on a Saturday.'
SEE THIS FRIDAY'S JOURNAL FOR MORE PICTURES AND DETAILS FROM THE SWITCH-ON
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