Published at 10:24, Tuesday, 04 December 2012

WITH the temperature dropping below freezing, Millom’s sparkling 20ft Christmas tree now adds a touch of festive warmth to the town.

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More than 200 people gathered in the town’s Market Square on Friday for the official Christmas lights switch-on.

As the team from The Bay radio station, including The Bay Bear mascot, worked the crowd, the faint sound of Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody could be heard in the distance.

The noise grew louder until Father Christmas rounded St George’s Road in his sleigh, pulled by the Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team, stopping in Market Square with the song blaring.

Sitting beside Santa was Millom’s mayor, Councillor Janice Brown, who performed the official switch-on.

Following a countdown from 10, the Christmas tree was lit up, with its 750 twinkling lights dancing amid the branches.

The Millom Partnership of Schools choir then burst into song, performing their Hearts Cast from Iron track.

Cllr Brown said: “I think the lights are excellent and anyone who doesn’t like them won’t be getting a visit from Father Christmas!”

Organiser of the lights switch-on, Councillor Joan Hobbs, said: “We just hope it will draw people into the town so they can do their Christmas shopping.”

Fellow organiser, South Copeland locality officer for Copeland Borough Council, Trudy Harrison, said: “I’m really pleased with the turnout and the weather has been perfect for it. Bring on Christmas!”

South Copeland Tourism officer, Mark Holroyd added: “We want to make sure this becomes an annual event, but we need the town’s support to do that.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk