Bungay's Christmas lights sparkled into action just after dusk on Saturday evening to signal the start of the town's festivities.
Members of the cast of the Fisher Theatre pantomime, Dick Whittington and his cat, which opens on December 20, led a count-down under the Butter Cross in front of a large crowd.
White, orange and blue bulbs lit the town centre streets and strings of lights woven into the branches of the trees in St Mary's Church yard winked brightly. Large stars arched across the entrance to streets in a scheme which the lighting committee has once again extended compared to last year.
The panto cast was in full costume, much to the delight of children, who were able to meet them and pat the pantomime horse.
A few minutes earlier the Star Ceremony for the lighting of the star on top of St Mary's Church took place. People gathered inside for the short interdenominational service led by the Rector, the Rev Ian Byrne, before moving outside to see the star shining out over the town. It is a traditional beacon, seen from a distance on all the approaches to Bungay.
Afterwards everyone enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine in the Bowerbank Room in the church. It was provided by the Friends of St Mary's, who organised the ceremony.
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