DARWEN was turned into a winter wonderland as crowds gathered for the big lights switch-on.

The town's Christmas lights were turned on outside the town hall by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Jack Bury.

And on hand to make sure the event went off in grand style were stars from the Christmas production of Pinocchio at Darwen Library Theatre.

Picture: Santa looks on as the Mayor, Coun Jack Bury, switches on Darwen lights watched by Susan Proctor (Pinocchio) and Alec-George Critchley from the panto at the Library Theatre and 10-year-old Chloe Phillipson and Nipa Hussain, aged 11