HUNDREDS of people gathered in Barrow town centre on Saturday to watch as the town's Christmas lights were switched on in style.

There was a party atmosphere throughout the afternoon and evening, with singers, dancers and entertaining acts taking to the stage set up outside Barrow Town Hall in Duke Street.

Crowds gathered in anticipation of the imminent Christmas lights switch-on, with many attendees dressing up in festive attire, waving toy sparklers and wearing novelty hats.

Georgia Stanway, a 17-year-old talented footballer, and 11-year-old Taylor Smith, who has Niemann-Pick disease Type C, were ultimately the stars of the show and turned on the festive displays at 5.45pm.

Denis Horan, one of the event organisers, said the evening had been a huge success and thanked all the stewards and acts.

He said: "It's all come together. The weather didn't dampen the spirit.

"This has been all about the community."

Acts who performed included Mystical Experience, South Lakes Rock School and Tiffany Southward.

Festive goodwill saved Barrow's Christmas celebration event this year.

Volunteers organised the town's Christmas lights switch-on after Barrow Borough Council said it could not afford to put on a lavish celebration due to the budget cuts it must make.

There was a big search to find the switch-on stars for this year's gala and the committee had a tough job in whittling the nominations down before deciding on Georgia and Taylor.

Councillor Anita Husband, the mayor of Barrow, said the event brought out the best in Barrow.

She said: "It's absolutely marvellous. The atmosphere was magical."

For more Christmas lights coverage and photos, see Monday's Evening Mail.