HUNDREDS of people brought Chippenham High Street to a standstill on Friday night as they gathered to see the first signs of the festive season come to town.

The annual Christmas lights switch-on event was more popular then ever, and the crowds were drawn in by numerous attractions including a fun fair, street entertainers and fireworks. But perhaps the highlight of the evening was the transformation of Chippenham's historic Neeld Hall into a temporary ice rink.

Specialist company Fun Ice slotted together the artificial plastic ice like a jigsaw in under an hour and the rink was well used by several hundred people during six hours of fun and falling over.

HTV presenters and special guest Richard McCourt, a BBC children's television presenter, hyped up the countdown to the switch-on from the top of the High Street, where a huge projector splashed festive images across various shop fronts.

Father Christmas, who traditionally makes an entrance by abseiling down the Angel Hotel, kept onlookers in suspense before making a surprise arrival from the front of The Bear.

It was a tense moment as Santa Claus at one point seemed to lose his footing, but he made a safe landing before joining town Mayor Barbie Dawson to speak to the crowds.

When the lights finally came on their were gasps of delight as Chippenham's town centre took on a distinctly festive feel.

Elsewhere in the town there were lights galore, stretching all the way down Avenue La Fleche, decking the Bridge Centre and other surrounding roads.

And there was plenty to keep residents amused after the lights came on.

Children munched on hot dogs, burgers and candy floss, while the grown-ups indulged in some steaming mulled wine to take the edge off a chilly evening.

The ice rink stayed open until 9pm and a whole variety of fairground rides provided amusement well into the evening.

At 8.30pm a spectacular firework display went off from the island at Monkton Park and could be seen right across Chippenham.

Chippenham Town council's promotion and events officer Emma King, who planned the event, said she was delighted with its success.

"There must have been about five thousand people there.

"There is always a huge response to the event and this year seems to have been bigger than ever.

"There was a wonderful atmosphere and a real feeling of Christmas cheer. We had most of the old favourites but a few new things, like the ice rink. We try to have something different.

"I was really very pleased with the way it went."

jbishop@newswilts.co.uk