Yarmouth Christmas lights pictures

GREAT Yarmouth town centre was spectacularly lit up on Wednesday night as the festive illuminations were switched on in front of hundreds of delighted people.

GREAT Yarmouth town centre was spectacularly lit up on Wednesday night as the festive illuminations were switched on in front of hundreds of delighted people.

Amid scenes of early seasonal cheer, the mayor and mayoress, Tony and Sara Smith were joined by newly crowned Miss Great Yarmouth & Gorleston, Victoria Allard, Father Christmas and some cheeky snowmen as they turned on the Christmas lights in the Market Place.

Children among the large crowd could not contain themselves as they joined in the traditional count down from ten to one at 7pm.

There were gasps of amazements as the lights burst into life on the Market Gates Shopping Centre, Palmers Department Store, the town's Christmas tree and Market Place.

Before and after the switch on bands kept the large throng entertained with a wide range of top tunes from Abba to the Kings of Leon. At 8pm the night finished with a fabulous rooftop fireworks display.

As well as the festive fun, shops, market stalls and chips stalls stayed open late to reap the benefits of the hundreds of people attending the ever popular event.

Gorleston is also busy preparing for the switching on of festive lights next Friday, December 4.

Helen McDermott will be pressing the switch at 7pm and will be joined by special guest Mickey the Mouse, who will lead the children to see Santa.

High Street traders have been working hard to make things Christmassy in Gorleston with an evening of family festivities from 6pm till 9 pm that will see live acts and carol singing around the tree.

Tickets will also be on sale for a gigantic Christmas raffle, which is raising money for palliative care east.