The stars were sparkling when Old Town Christmas lights were switched on last night - even though it was raining.

Swindon Town FC glitterati Tommy Mooney and Sam Parkin pushed the plunger to flood Wood Street with light, Roly Gillard twinkled in his Christmas costume and Santa Claus' new sleigh shone.

After switching on the lights, the footballers were surrounded by a crowd of young autograph hunters.

Organiser Harry Bromley said: "The problem we faced was with the rain. But there is no doubt about it, even considering the weather conditions, we had at least as many people there as we did last year.

"This is my sixth year running the switch on and we have never had an evening of bad weather until now."

He explained that the event was pulled forward a week because it would have clashed with the town centre switch on which is due to happen next Friday.

"Historically and trad-itionally we should have been doing this on the 27th," he said.

"But they changed their plans. We've had an apology from the town centre manager and we understand, but the alteration of the date did have consequences for us."

He said organisers and traders had to work extra hard to get ready in time.

Richard Deacon, whose father started the tradition of the lights in Old Town back in 1966, paid tribute to all the hard work and contributions from local traders.

"There is a big thank you to all the local business who have contributed to the Christmas lights and made this event possible especially to all the new business," he said.

"This is an event for the community, but it is also a way of promoting Old Town as a place to shop.

"Over the last five years we have worked very hard to build the area up and now that work is starting to have a very positive effect," said Mr Deacon, chairman of the Old Town Business and Professional Association.

As well as the footballers and Santa, whose sleigh was pulled by the Adver promotional 4x4, enter-tainment was provided by a host of acts including the Wroughton Silver Band, characters from the Wyvern Theatre's production of Goldilocks and The Three Bears and local radio station GWR.