HUNDREDS of people flocked to Ledbury Town Centre on Saturday for the switch on of the town’s Christmas Lights.

As darkness fell the numbers of festive fun-seekers by Ledbury’s iconic building, the Market House, visibly swelled.

By 5pm it was all but impossible to get close to the ancient half-timbered building, while carols were performed with gusto by Ledbury Community Brass Band, together with Ledbury Community Choir and the school choirs of Bosbury, Eastnor and Ledbury.

Town Crier Clive Gunn, in his eighteenth century regalia and ringing his bell, helped to keep the level of excitement high.

He encouraged young and old alike to join in with the carol singing.

In previous years, the town council has taken on much of the duties for organising the switch on.

But this year, a working party headed by local lady Brenda Hill has been taking the strain while making changes.

This year, for a change, the usual pearly white lights on the Market House, Alms House and elsewhere have been replaced with strings of stunning gold and white lights.

Another change this year was a switch of venues for Santa’s grotto, from the panelled room of the town council offices to Enchant and Allure, in New Street.

In honour of the arrival of Father Christmas, the decorative lights across New Street went on slightly early, in fact.

In Bye Street, local lady Yvonne White entered again into the spirit of the occasion by switching on her private displays of festive lights, which are always a popular talking point in the town.

Meanwhile, as 5.15pm approached, there seemed to be only the slightest of technical delays before Carnival Princess Niamh Hogan, aged 10, was able to throw the switch and another Christmas season could begin for the town.

There was a large cheer as the lights went on, and the displays were well-received by the crowds.

Final numbers were hard to estimate, but there were at least 600 people gathered at that time, near the Market House, and perhaps considerably more.

Entertainment during the afternoon, prior to the switch on, included lantern making and performances by Ledbury Dance Company and Dance 364.