CHRISTMAS arrived in Banbury last night with the town's annual Lights Switch-On Festival.
More than 5,000 people turned out to see EastEnders actor Ian Beale turn on the town's street illuminations, pictured, after an afternoon of music and dance.
The stage show, outside the town hall in Bridge Street, began at 1pm with Bodicote band Odd Ones Out showing why many people think they have a big future.
Tobacco Road played hits from the 60s and 70s, and girls from the Joanne Mills School of Dance provided a colourful and graceful break in the music.
X Factor's 4Sure, followed by Madness tribute band Hope and Glory, completed the build up to the switch-on.
Actor Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale in the popular BBC1 soap, talked about his work with the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire air ambulance, which covers Banbury.
He urged people to support the flying rescue service.
He said: "You never know when you might need it."
Mr Woodyatt was joined on stage for the switch-on by town mayor Kieron Mallon, chairman of Cherwell District Council, Rose Stratford, Fox FM's Adam Ball, and the winner of a children's poster competition Josh Todd-Connor.
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