A festive crowd of people joined in the countdown to the switching on of Farnham’s brand new Christmas lights on Saturday.

Shortly before the switch-on, the cast of Cinderella, which will be showing at The Harlington Centre, Fleet took to the stage. They performed three festive songs and encouraged everybody to sing along.

As the 4.30pm switch-on approached, the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Jeremy Ricketts; the town crier, Jonathan Jones and CBBC’s Chris Johnson who is playing Buttons gathered around the light switch. The audience counted down from ten and as they reached the final count of one, the trio pushed the switch. This was followed by an explosion of stage fireworks, a shower of shiny paper and for the town and Gostrey Meadow to be flooded with the bright lights of Christmas.

Speaking after the event, Cllr Jill Hargreaves, Lead Member for Tourism and Events said: “Farnham has new Christmas lights this year and they look truly magical. I am so pleased with how many people came along to the switch-on. Father Christmas spoke to lots and lots of children and the activities on the family craft table were very popular.

“The school children and theatre groups gave magnificent performances – we have some very talented young people in Farnham. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Personnel Selection who were the gold sponsor of this years event. It is thanks to their support and that of our silver sponsors Hawthorns and Trueman & Grundy and bronze sponsor The Packhouse that we were able to put on such an enjoyable family-friendly event.”

The Christmas lights switch-on marks the start of Christmas in Farnham. Shoppers will be able to enjoy free parking in Waverley Borough Council car parks from 3 to 7pm on the first three Thursdays in December.

Throughout December, families and young children will be able to take part in a Christmas trail to spot nativity characters in shop windows. There will also be a Christmas market in Castle Street on Sunday 14 December from 10am to 4pm. Further details plus a guide to Christmas events in Farnham can be found on our Christmas pages.