ORGANISERS of the year's Christmas lights switch on event in W have defended it from criticism saying it was not city council policy to hire celebrities for events.
Worcester's switch on came under fire after residents pointed out Redditch had pop star Peter Andre switch on the lights - but the city's lights were switched on by the mayor of Worcester Councillor Louis Stephen and Father Christmas.
Stewart Kendrick wrote on Worcester News Facebook: "How come a town gets Peter Andre and we being a city gets Father Christmas?"
Julie Gunnell said: "Needs someone better to switch lights on. We always have rubbish, needs something more exciting."
Mandy Rayner added: "No celebrity?"
Hundreds of fans gathered to get a photo with I'm a Celeb star Peter Andre at Kingfisher Shopping Centre before he performed his hits on stage and switched the lights on.
Worcester's event, held on Saturday night in Cathedral Square, was jointly organised between Worcester City Council and Visit Worcester.
A Worcester City Council spokesperson told us: "It is our policy not to spend money on hiring celebrities for events.”
Meanwhile some visitors to the event also took to the Worcester News Facebook with other criticisms.
Claire Molton said: "It seems the whole thing was poorly executed compared to previous years, to the point of being embarrassing for the city.
"Some of the lights came on before the countdown ended, some lights came on then went off and some just didn't come on after the countdown ended.
"Eventually, all the lights came on, and they do look good.
"There were major problems with crowd control, due to the sheer number of people and performers getting to and from the stage, while some people were on the nearby road and bus stop which remained open to traffic. I’m amazed an accident didn’t happen."
Carl Sampson said: "Couldn't hear a thing, then at the end of the countdown one light came on."
Emma Hodgkins said: "Very poor this year - we’ve been the last few years and it has been great.
"Kids used to love it but bored (this year)- didn’t feel very festive, shame for a city."
Adriano Vazzoler said: "Personally I thought it was poor, especially the sound.
"I couldn’t hear what the choir were singing and the actual switching on the lights was farcical.
"I would have thought that the street light next to the stage could have been repaired or turned off instead of the lamp flickering."
Ben Gwilt added: "I love Christmas but was just boring.
"Very poor - will not be coming next year if it’s more of the same."
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “The Christmas lights switch-on was a great success, attracting large numbers of people and we have had lots of positive feedback.
"We’ve also had some points of concern raised by residents and as always, we will be considering issues raised to see where we can improve the event for next year."
Visit Worcester was contacted for comment.
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