HUNDREDS of people turned out to see Huntingdon’s Christmas lights switch on spectacular.

Visitors started to arrive at the town centre from midday to enjoy a range of activities including community and charity stalls, fairground rides and free face painting and balloon modelling.

The Civic Society opened Huntingdon Town Hall for tours and took 50 people around the newly renovated building, while local performers wowed on the Huntingdon Community Radio FM stage at Market Square.

Father Christmas joined Mayor Councillor Colin Hyams on stage for the official countdown at 4.45pm.

BID Huntingdon’s Katy Sismore said: “This year’s event was really enjoyable.

“It takes a lot of effort and energy to get the Christmas lights switch on event organised.

“We would like to thank all the people who have donated money towards buying the lights as well as the community groups who helped on the day.”

As well as switching on the lights, Santa Claus also invited children to his special grotto in St Benedict’s Court.

Commemoration Hall was the venue for a Christmas shopping extravaganza from 2pm to 5.30pm, with demonstrations by zumba dance instructors.

The lights switch on was preceded by a traditional Festive Parade at 4.30pm from the Commemoration Hall, led by the Mayor, Father Christmas and his elves.

However Councillor Hyams has written to officers at Huntingdon Town Council about installing lights at the Town Hall after noting that it was still in darkness.

“It was a great disappointment to look from the stage at the lights in the High Street only to see no festive lights on the Town Hall,” he said.

“We are still in November, so I would to try and get something in place for this year.”