DANCERS, singers, magicians and pupils all performed for Barrow's annual light switch on which turned virtual for this year's event.

Barrow’s Christmas Lights Switch On regularly attracts around 4,000 people to Barrow town centre for the official start to the festive season.

The event has been organised by volunteers Denis and Beth Horan since 2016 with additional help from a wide range of people across the borough.

This year, the couple was determined to keep the tradition going and opted to organise, curate and film a never-before-tried virtual show.

The project featured a stellar line up of artists and performers from across the area, including Barrovian and one half of the Hairy Bikers duo, Dave Myers, professional footballer and England player, Georgia Stanway, the Lancashire Hotpots and Father Christmas himself.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, thanked the dedicated volunteers who had worked so hard to ensure the event could go ahead as always, albeit in a different format for 2020.

She said: "Welcome to the virtual switch on of the Christmas lights "It's been a year none of us would want repeated.

"It would not have been safe to have the normal switch on so we are doing our best to do the virtual switch on which you will enjoy."

"Our town and community is very strong and we will all pull together to make sure we get through this.

"The borough of Barrow in Furness is a wonderful place to live and we should all be proud of it.

"I would love to have had everyone in the town square at this time, it was a wonderful event.

"Next year we will make it the Christmas switch on you will never forget.

"I hope you all have the best Christmas you can under the circumstances.

"Merry Christmas and hopefully a Covid-free new year."

The video included exclusive performances from singers Paris Ayo-Corkhill and Chris Parker, magician Joel Dickinson and much more. Barrow dance and acrobatic group, The Free Spirit Academy, also performed two festive dance number to Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

Organiser Beth Horan hopes the video will 'kickstart some much needed happiness and cheer'.

She said: "The great thing about the switch on this year is that it features the fantastic array of talent we are lucky to have in the area and will be shown online so that more people can watch it than ever before.

“I’m grateful to the wonderful team who have worked tirelessly in tough conditions to put this virtual switch on together, the performers and backstage crew especially. “ It’s been a difficult year for so many people and we can’t wait to see the back of it. Hopefully this event will kickstart some much needed happiness and cheer.”