Anthony CarrollGreat Yarmouth town centre was spectacularly lit up last night as its festive illuminations were switched on in front of hundreds of delighted people.Anthony Carroll

Great Yarmouth town centre was spectacularly lit up last night as its festive illuminations were switched on in front of hundreds of delighted people.

Amid scenes of early seasonal cheer the mayor of the borough Tony Smith was joined by newly crowned beauty queen Miss Yarmouth Victoria Allard and Father Christmas and some cheeky snowmen as he turned on the Christmas lights in the Market Place.

Children among the large crowd could not contain themselves as they joined in the traditional count down from ten to one at 7pm.

There were gasps of amazements as the lights burst into life on the Market Gates Shopping Centre, Palmers Department Store, the town's Christmas tree and Market Place.

Before and after the switch on bands kept the large throng entertained with a wide range of top tunes from Abba to the Kings of Leon.

At 8pm the night finished with a fabulous rooftop fireworks display.

As well as the festive fun, shops, market stalls and chips stalls stayed open late to reap the benefits of the hundreds of people attending the ever popular event.

Meanwhile, The BBC's Formula 1 presenter Jake Humphrey helped a charity launch a new fundraising bid during festivities to mark Holt's Christmas lights switch on last night.

Another celebrity - TV Coastal Kitchen chef Chris Coubrough - performed the actual switch-on for the town. Mr Coubrough's stable of eateries now includes the nearby King's Head at Letheringsett.

The lighting up ceremony also featured choirs, live reindeer and entertainers from Cromer's Christmas Seaside Special pier show.