The weather may have been cold and wet but that didn't stop hundreds of people from turning out for a seaside light switch-on.

On Friday hundreds of people huddled together to get into the festive spirit in Great Yarmouth.

A sea of families, woolly hats and some umbrellas could be seen among the hundreds of people in the town square.

Dance recitals were performed by school children and the audience was treated to several acoustic songs by Chris Newman.

By 6.35pm there was light rainfall but Mr Newman roused the crowd with a special rendition of "Three Lions" to keep spirits high.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: People gathered in Great Yarmouth Market Place to welcome Father Christmas.People gathered in Great Yarmouth Market Place to welcome Father Christmas. (Image: GYBC)

Before going onstage to greet people from the town, Great Yarmouth Borough Mayor, Graham Plant, said: "It is great to see everyone here in the town centre.

"Despite the weather and the unfortunate cancellation of the firework display, there is a huge crowd here to see Father Christmas and the switch-on of the festive lights.

"It really goes to show how much people care about the town. You can hear kids shouting hello to Santa and there is a buzz in the air.

"It is lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth borough Mayor Graham Plant onstage with Father Christmas at the light switch-on.Great Yarmouth borough Mayor Graham Plant onstage with Father Christmas at the light switch-on. (Image: James Weeds)

Vocalist Gaby Starbuck took to the stage to sing pop hits and a few Christmas favourites. Despite the rain, the performer amped up the crowd with her performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".

The mayor and Father Christmas then made their way to the stage to greet the hundreds in attendance before pushing the plunger which saw the market square illuminated in twinkling Christmas lights to massive cheers.

Host Tim Lindon - from the popular YouTube channel Walk With Me Tim - reminded the audience that the fireworks display had been cancelled due to the bad weather.

However, the Norwegian Lardal Kantori choir were making a guest appearance to sing Christmas Carols.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Kevin Bagley (second-from-left) with his family at Great Yarmouth's Christmas light switch-on.Kevin Bagley (second-from-left) with his family at Great Yarmouth's Christmas light switch-on. (Image: James Weeds)

Out at the event was Kevin Bagley, who said this was the first time he had attended a Christmas light switch-on in Great Yarmouth.

"The little ones absolutely loved it," he said.

"Their eyes lit up when Santa arrived and they really are feeling the Christmas spirit. Even the older kids enjoyed it."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Grimster Family - Logan, Louise and Marc - at Great Yarmouth's Christmas light switch-on.The Grimster Family - Logan, Louise and Marc - at Great Yarmouth's Christmas light switch-on. (Image: James Weeds)

The Grimster family - Louise, Marc and Logan - said the event was "brilliant".

"I thought the performances were great," said Mrs Grimster.

"It's just a nice thing to do and it does get us all Christmassy."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Christmas displays in Great Yarmouth town centre.The Christmas displays in Great Yarmouth town centre. (Image: GYBC)