A flick of the switch - and suddenly it's Christmas.

With four weeks to go, towns across Oxfordshire are getting in the festive mood.

Lord Mayor Val Smith brightened up Oxford city centre by switching on the Christmas lights last night, from a stage at the corner of Cornmarket Street and Market Street, after a performance by the Oxford Bach Choir.

Both Witney and Carterton held funfairs and late-night shopping evenings to mark the ceremonial switching on of the seasonal lights. Witney MP Shaun Woodward flicked a switch to illuminate the town's civic Christmas tree in Market Square on Friday.

At the same time, county council chairman Harry Wyatt did the same for Carterton's tree.

This year Witney decided to follow Carterton's lead and make the evening something a bit special.

A small funfair was set up in Market Square and the town's Round Table brought along Santa in his sleigh. A Christian Aid group led carol singing to raise money for the India Cyclone Disaster Appeal.

Christmas lights went on along the High Street and Corn Street and shops in the town centre stayed open till 8pm. Witney Town Band was playing away in Carterton at the town's Christmas street fair - with local primary schoolchildren joining in with carol singing.

Carterton clubs, charities and service organisations put on a variety of stalls in a street market in Alvescot Road, with a funfair in the car park at the rear of the town library.

Didcot's countdown began as the mayor, Trevor Louch, switched on the lights on a 25ft high tree. He thanked the town council's technical manager, Brenda Andrews, and grounds staff who helped with the multi-coloured light show.

Mr Louch, accompanied by the Mayoress, Shirley Louch, said the street illuminations were as colourful as ever. "Our town Christmas lights have become a talking point in other towns," he added.

The couple joined revellers for carols led by Didcot Choral Society in the Civic Hall. Mince pies and mulled wine were served.

Story date: Monday 29 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.