Ref. 27992-13Swindon town centre's lights were switched on to cheers, claps, fireworks - and boos for the baddie.

This years' pantomime star, actor Ross Davidson, who will play the Ringmaster in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, urged the crowd to boo him in preparation for his run at the Wyvern Theatre.

Ross was joined on stage by Pollyann Tanner, who is choreographing the show, and Fred Ferris, Swindon's town crier.

Swindon Mayor Derek Benfield also turned up for the festivities along with the Evening Advertiser's Alfie the Alligator and Willy Wyvern, from the theatre.

With a shake of his bell town crier Fred launched into a 10-second count down helped along by scores of children and adults.

And then there was light. Fire-works lit up the stage while confetti-filled parachutes were launched into the air as a festive glow filled the town.

Ross, who has starred in hit television soaps Hollyoaks and EastEnders, told how he is hoping to try his hand in the Yorkshire soap Emmerdale next year.

He told the crowd at last night's switch-on: "The panto's going to be great. You can all boo me to bits. I'm really looking forward to playing the baddie.

"I've turned Christmas lights on in places like Oxford before but it's always been a lever or a button. This one looks like a big seat."

Ross will be starring alongside fellow soap star Vicky Binns, who joined Emmerdale in 1999 as Ollie Reynolds.

Ross told the crowd outside Debenham's: "The Hollyoaks cast are a lot younger and better looking than the EastEnders lot.

"I was in EastEnders from 1985 when Dirty Den was around the first time. But a lot has changed since then. There's a lot more grey hair around."

"I enjoy Christmas but my five-year-old son Drew loves it. He's at the age when he's cottoning on to it all.

"He's not here tonight but he'll come and see the show when it's on."

After the switch-on the adults cleared the stage to make way for youngsters from the Tanwood Dancers, who dressed as clowns for the occasion.

Caeris Clerke, 33, of Dixon Street, in Old Town, was in the crowd and thought the switch-on ceremony was a hit. She said: "It was a very well organised and relaxed event. I'm pleased we came down for it."

Her daughter Babette, nine, a pupil at Drove Primary School, said she enjoyed seeing the clowns and Alfie the Alligator.

"The lights are pretty. I'm looking forward to Christmas," she said.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears will run at the theatre from Friday December 12 to Saturday January 10 2004.

For further information about this year's pantomime call the Wyvern Theatre ticket office on 01793 524481.

Alex Emery