MARLBOROUGH came alive with the spirit of Christmas on Friday night when hundreds of people turned out for the annual lights switch-on.

The evening suffered a damp start but the wet weather did not deter revellers who enjoyed browsing more than 50 stalls for Christmas gifts.

Youngsters had great fun meeting Santa and his elves in the grotto in the Town Hall while their parents enjoyed mince pies, tea, coffee and mulled wine in the Christmas cafe.

In St Mary’s Church there was singing from Ogbourne St George and St Andrew, St Katharine’s, St Peter’s and Preshute for the annual schools carols event, sponsored by David Dudley Jewellers.

A packed church enjoyed renditions of classic Christmas songs such as Hark the Herald Angel Sing and When a Child is Born.

For the finale all of the schools came together for an energetic version of Away in a Manger.

Carol concert organiser Nigel Kerton said: “We come here to listen to the children singing their hearts out as only our schools can.

“It’s just once a year that we get all the children together for this and I think it’s wonderful.”

The schoolchildren then collected their coloured lanterns ready for the procession along the High Street.

Dozens of children and their parents followed Santa’s sleigh, provided by the Marlborough Lions Club, carrying Father Christmas, mayor Marian Hannaford-Dobson and St Peter’s pupil Ella Steele.

During the procession, young performers from Marlborough Academy of Dance and Drama sang We are the World to a huge crowd outside the Castle & Ball.

Just before the lights switch-on, 83-year-old town crier Alfie Johnson was named as Citizen of the Year for his contribution to the community, including long-standing associations with the Jubilee Centre, Marlborough Carnival, the town’s football club and the amateur dramatics society.

Coun Hannaford-Dobson presented him with an engraved crystal bowl, cheque and certificate.

He said: “I don’t deserve this. I’ve got more to offer yet.”

The crowd sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas before a countdown to nine-year-old Ella Steele and Santa turning on the lights.