VILLAGE royalty and Santa had the honour of switching on the Christmas lights this weekend.

Families turned out this evening to support Askam Christmas lights switch-on.

Father Christmas was joined by Askam carnival queen, Maddison Porter, 12, lady-in-waiting Charlie Miller, 12, and princess Anya Faragher, seven, for the switch-on in Askam's Garden of Remembrance.

Following the countdown there was also a fireworks display.

The Christmas celebration and Askam Carnival are both organised by Askam Community Events. The group raises money for local good causes.

The festivities had also included a lantern procession to the garden, led by Barrow St Andrew's Pipe Band, the Askam Carnival royalty, and the Askam Village School community with their Christmas tree lantern.    

During the afternoon there was also a 1k run for schoolchildren, Askam Village School pupils singing carols, and a Christmas fair held in the Askam Community Centre. Duddon Inshore Rescue ran its ever-popular Santa's Grotto at the fair.

The fair included a cake competition in aid of the Cumbria Flood Appeal. 

Stuart Wallace, chairman of the Askam Community Events, said: "We are really pleased with the event and we have had a lot of support. The hall has been busy throughout the day."