THOUSANDS of people flocked to Trowbridge town centre for an evening of family fun and entertainment and the switch on of the town's Christmas lights.

Radio presenters Jez and Lou, from GWR's Morning Crew, and HTV presenter Jon Monie, who is starring in pantomime at the Theatre Royal in Bath, joined Father Christmas and friends on stage for the big moment at 6.30pm.

The other dignitaries included town mayor Jeff Osborn, president of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce Ann Mason, Trowbridge Carnival butterfly princess Kinvara Hardman and town crier Trevor Heeks.

Cllr Osborn said: "It was a great night for Trowbridge. The event, and the lights, get better and better every year.

"We spent more money on some new lights this year and it is all worth it to encourage people to shop in the town."

Stalls and John Jennings' fairground rides and fireworks were among the attractions while people filled Fore Street and Market Street.

Father Christmas joined the Wiltshire Times at our stand outside WH Smith's to meet children and have his picture taken with them. Proceeds from the sale of the pictures will be donated to Children in Need.

West Wiltshire's very own Mr Christmas, Andy Parks from Melksham, sang his new single, a cover version of the popular hit Daydream Believer and the Rainbow Steel Orchestra also took to the stage.

Town development manager Daryl Saville-Brown, who has spent months organising the event, said she was relieved everything went to plan and the lights went on without a hitch.

She said: "It was another successful event for the people of Trowbridge to enjoy.

"We had some musical fun and the senior choir from Clarendon School was wonderful.

"I hope people had a very enjoyable time and continue to enjoy the lights in the run up to Christmas."

Mrs Saville-Brown said the lights brought people from towns across the area and would hopefully help attract families to do their Christmas shopping in Trowbridge.

She added: "We are trying to do everything we can to boost the feel-good factor of Trowbridge."

People turned out again on Saturday to support the town's Christmas street market in Fore Street.

Charity groups, voluntary organisations and craftspeople were among those to have stalls at the event.