HUNDREDS of people braved the November weather to welcome in the Christmas period in Accrington's biggest civic event of the year.

The 2,000 strong crowd gave a cheer as singer, comedian and radio personality Norman Prince flicked the switch to illuminate thousands of Christmas lights in Accrington town centre.

The residents had been arriving from all over the borough since the late afternoon to enjoy the build up to the happy event, courtesy of entertainers and choir singers laid on by the organisers.

After the switch-on, the town enjoyed a spectacular £2,000 giant firework display which lit up the skies over the Arndale centre for 20 minutes.

The event, which is in its tenth year, traditionally takes place on November 15 and has become a popular event in Hyndburn's civic calendar.

Chiefs at Hyndburn council leisure department, who organise the event with the Town Centre Regeneration Board, decided to illuminate the town every evening until in the first week of January.

And in a further move to attract shoppers into the town to take advantage of the late night shopping, the town centre will play host to a mix of street entertainment every Saturday and Sunday in the town centre starting this Saturday.