VIDEO: Thousands have fun at Bury St Edmunds Switch On

Thousands of people got into the festive spirit last night at the Ourburystedmunds Christmas Lights Switch On in Bury St Edmunds.

Families started arriving from early afternoon to see the much-loved penguins, reindeer and husky dogs ‘wolves’ and to enjoy the many stalls and free entertainment on offer.

“It was a totally successful Christmas Lights Switch On again yesterday,” said Mark Cordell, chief executive of town centre business improvement district (BID) Ourburystedmunds, which organised the event.

“It’s too early to accurately give any numbers but antidotally I would say there were thousands of people, similar to last year.

“The schools and colleges on the stage did a brilliant job and the Theatre [Royal] panto characters did a couple of numbers and that went down really well.

“There was a lovely atmosphere and we’ve had lots of positive feedback from the people and charities there.”

New lights and decorations have been added to the town’s display this year, with St John’s Street, Cotton lane, Mustow Street, St Andrew’s Street South and the Cattle Market Car Park among areas with more illuminations.

Santa turned them on at 7pm and then handed over to a Robbie Williams tribute act who rounded the night off with some of the singer’s best known hits.

“The lights are all designed to make the town look wonderful for the Christmas Fayre next week,” said Mr Cordell, who is also excited about the ice skating rink opening in the arc shopping centre from December 5.

For details and tickets, visit www.ourburystedmunds.co.uk

The Bury Christmas Fayre will run from November 26-29. Find out more at www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk