The Halstead Christmas lights switch on were watched by a crowd of several hundred.

Town mayor David Hume, assisted by Father Christmas, and Sean Carol, Isabella and Lincoln turned on the spectacular lights in the town’s public gardens on Saturday.

Mr Hume said: “It went really well.

“We invite one child from each of Halstead’s primary schools and their families for a meal at the town council building.

“They are then taken in a beautiful sleigh, made by Jason Bedlow and Tim Bickmore, to the public gardens.

“There is carol singing from the Brownies and Rainbows “We turn the lights on with a big switch.

“The children thoroughly enjoy it and the crowd enjoys it too.”

A snow machine also made sure that everyone got truly in the festive mood.