SCORES of people lined the streets and got into the festive spirit to watch the Mayor of Horwich turn on the town's Christmas lights.

Cllr Tom Farmer, together with Mayoress Donna Hardman, had the honour of flicking the switch at Friday’s annual event to light the civic Christmas tree.

Following the switch-on there was a short carol service conducted by the Rev Howard-Norman with music from Rivington and Blackrod High School, accompanied by a choir from St Catherine's CE Primary School.

Cllr Farmer said: “Everything went off without a hitch. A tremendous amount of people attended and I think we were well up on last year.

“I would particularly like to thank the children from St Catherine's CE Primary School and the band from Rivington and Blackrod High School who did a really great job and helped get us all in the Christmas spirit.”