AFTER months of planning the big switch on of Christmas lights in Trowbridge went without a hitch on Friday as around 300 people watched George Galpin, eight, light up the town.

George won a competition to design a Christmas light design that would be incorporated into this year's display in Fore Street.

He said: "I was very very nervous about turning on the lights and really shocked that my design was chosen as the winner.

George's design was of a candle and is part of the display at the end of Fore Street by the magistrates' court.

BBC Radio Wiltshire held a live broadcast in Fore Street to celebrate the event.

Drivetime presenter Mark Jones and BBC west Wiltshire reporter Heather Skull warmed up the crowd for the switch on.

Mr Jones said: "We had a really good time and managed to get lots of local input into the show.

"We had a few technical glitches and the weather was very cold and blustery but we managed to get around the problems."

Members of the Wiltshire Times team were interviewed as part of the two hour programme.

Editor Toby Granville and sales and marketing executive Carol Moth were grilled by Mark Jones on the day-to-day running of the paper.

Mr Jones said: "The main point about being in Trowbridge was to talk to staff at the Wiltshire Times and it went very well.

"I think the audience really got a feel for the general flavour of the paper."

Tribute band Sultana played Latin music from a stage outside HSBC bank in the build-up to the switch-on and for some time afterwards as the crowd dispersed.

Town development manager Daryl Saville-Brown said: "Because the shops will not open for the turning on of the Christmas lights we like to make it a community event and so it was good to have George a member of this community to do the honours.

"This is the eighth time I have organised the Christmas lights and I am very pleased with this year's display.

"We have done some extra lights for the first time in Castle Street and it looks brilliant.

"It is hard work to organise and there are so many health and safety regulations it can be a nightmare but it is worth it and all the people there on Friday really seemed to enjoy themselves.

"At this time of year we need something like this to brighten things up when it can be so grey and miserable."