HUNDREDS of people gathered to watch Droitwich Spa's Christmas lights switch-on.

The town was illuminated with a festive glow when Mayor of Droitwich, Councillor Tom Noyes, flicked the switch on Saturday (November 30).

The event took place outside St Andrew’s Church in High Street at around 4.45pm.

During the day there was entertainment including the Worcestershire Farmers' Market, craft fairs and exhibitions, children’s fairground rides, puppet shows, craft activities and face painting.

Performances from Westacre Middle School choir, Rock Choir, Spa Tones Community Choir and the Salvation Army Band also entertained visitors.

A traditional nativity scene was also set up at the Salt Barrow Market and narrated by the Salvation Army from 3pm.

School children assembled for a torch-lit procession at 4pmand accompanied a coach and horses carrying the mayor and Father Christmas the length of High Street to Droitwich Parish Centre, adjacent to St Andrew’s Church, ahead of the switch-on.

The torch procession was organised by Droitwich Arts Network (DAN) and saw 200 pupils take part after creating the lanterns with the help of DAN members.

A number of cast members from the Norbury Theatre's production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs also took part in the lantern parade.

The evil queen, Snow White and the seven dwarfs all carried lanterns while other cast members handed out leaflets to the crowd.

Mayor of Droitwich Spa, Coun Noyes, said: "I want to say a big thank you to the people of the town for turning out on Saturday for the switching on of the Christmas lights.

"The choirs were superb, the lantern procession was awesome and the numbers lining the streets and windows were fabulous.

"Happy faces were everywhere I looked. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to organising and implementing the event.

"I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year."