HUNDREDS turned out to watch the Farnworth Christmas lights switch — as seasonal festivities hit the town.

The celebrations included live music and dance performances, with Councillor Noel Spencer even taking to the stage and singing a few numbers himself, Jingle Bells and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Councillor Spencer said: “It was an exceptional event, all credit to councillor Gillies, who organised it. The weather was kind to us and there was no rain, it went absolutely without a hitch.

“My highlight of the night was seeing the little faces of the children going to meet Santa, they absolutely loved it.”

The hundreds of children who attended all received gifts, and got their pictures taken with Santa.

The event was mainly organised by Councillor Jean Gillies, who had to cancel last year’s events, due to a series of personal tragedies, after losing five members of her close family in just two weeks, during the run up to Christmas.

Speaking before the lights switch on, Councillor Gillies said: “We need something like this to lift the spirits in Farnworth and put the town centre back on the map.

“We know that Farnworth is a high deprivation area, but it has got a great future, with the regeneration of the town coming up, so we need to celebrate this.”

One of the more notable attractions at the event was two men dressed as giant Christmas crackers.