THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Kidderminster to watch the Christmas lights being switched on by Santa.

In a break with tradition, Father Christmas - helped by the seven-year-old winner of a Shuttle/Times and News competition - threw the switch to light up the town.

Kayleigh Jones of Kidderminster was a star for a day when she drove into town in an open-top double-decker bus with her brother, Nathan, 11, and parents, Elaine and Mike. Kayleigh Jones and Santa light up the town as Kidderminster Mayor John Stevens supervises the switch-on.

Hundreds of children entered the annual competition to switch on the lights which, until now, have been switched on by the mayor of Kidderminster.

Kayleigh and runner-up Tom Poulton, nine, were also presented with prizes of Severn Valley Railway family tickets for two adults and four children.

Mayor John Stevens joined other VIPs as a passenger on the bus which left Severn Valley Railway, Comberton Hill, to drive down to the Town Hall. He said: "It is a bit of a break with tradition as the mayor usually switches on the lights from the town hall balcony but we decided to make a change this year." Hannah Furey with a festive decoration.

Cuddly characters including Sammy Swan, Cable Cat and Mr Grimestopper, were out and about meeting shoppers and musical entertainment was provided by an ambling band.

The big switch-on was the first in a series of events to get people in the mood for Christmas.

On Saturday, ice-skating will be back at the top of High Street by popular demand and proceeds will boost the town's festive lights fund.

Street markets and craft fairs are planned next month and there will be late-night shopping sessions from December 17-21.