It’s Wallace and Gromit in the big festive switch on

9:18am Friday 17th November 2006

WALLACE and Gromit fans flocked to Worcester city centre to see the plasticine pair celebrate the start of the festive season by turning on the Christmas lights.

Eccentric cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his canine sidekick Gromit lit up a packed Crowngate Shopping Centre to kick-start the festive season.

They were on hand throughout the afternoon to talk and mingle with their fans before lighting up Friary Walk in style at 6pm.

The pair were accompanied by nine-year-old James Burton, of Powick CE Primary School, near Worcester, who won a Worcester News competition to join them.

Organisers closely monitored the crowds to ensure there was no repeat of the scenes last year, when the shopping centre was so packed with people that children had to be taken to safety.

The Poles Apart Stilts Company put on a stilt walking show in the High Street during the afternoon to keep the crowds entertained.

Mayor of Worcester Ian Imray also switched on a set of Christmas lights outside the Guildhall at 5.30pm.

Accompanied by children from Claines Primary School, near Worcester, he pressed the button - and nothing happened. But the next time, as the crowd counted down to 10, a smiling Coun Imray was successful and the lights went on.

He told the Worcester News of his pride in bringing the special day a "little bit closer".

"There is a certain thrill in being able to turn on the Christmas lights and illuminate the city," he said.

"Christmas is all about enjoying yourself. It's also about children and them enjoying the magic of it all. I thoroughly enjoyed myself turning on the lights."

The switch-on marked a big shopping night in town, with hundreds of shops open late until 9pm.

The city council allowed drivers to use its car parks for free after 6pm - an offer that applies every Thursday night from now until Christmas.