ITV Anglia news presenter Becky Jago switches on Christmas lights in Stowmarket

Former Stowmarket High pupil, news presenter Becky Jago, has switched on the lights at the town's annual Christmas Tree Festival.

Ms Jago, who also went to Combs Primary school, pressed the big red button to turn on the lights in the parish church and across the whole town centre.

Speaking to a large crowd in St Peter's and St Mary's Church she said: "It is lovely to be back in Stowmarket and have your friendly faces smiling back at me."

After she switched the lights, with the help of members of the audience, Ms Jago said: "I feel very grounded in Stowmarket it feels like home.

"Some of my family have come along to watch - my nephew and my dad and my step mum.

"Stowmarket is the place where I grew up and I have so many memories, some of them I probably shouldn't share."

Ms Jago had turned on the lights on at the first event eighteen years ago.

One of the festival organisers Judy Eden said: "It is really exciting when everyone comes to see the festival.

"This year in the church we have a theme of peace on earth which we though was appropriate considering the situation in Ukraine.

"I like all the creativity within the festival, it has been going for 18 years but people still come up with more and more ideas."

The festival stretches across six venues in Stowmarket and Mrs Eden hopes those visiting the parish church will find a 'moment of calm' in the run up to Christmas.

Councillor Barry Salmon, Stowmarket Town Mayor, said the festival was 'absolutely brilliant'.

Cllr Salmon said: "It always amazes me just how much effort people put in and some of the trees are really thought provoking."

This year the festival has been made up of 280 trees, 80 of which can be found in the parish church.

The other venues taking part, all have a different theme and at least one will be open each day until the end of the festival.

You will be able to see the trees at Stowmarket Library, the Food Museum, the Walnut pub, the Red Gables gardens and Maxwell Brown Estate Agents.

The parish church will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm and members of the public can visit until the end of the year.