Christmas magic arrives in Attleborough

Jessica Sharpe, left, and her brother Joshua, and Darcy Andrews enjoying a fair ride at the Attleborough Christmas Carnival and lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

The lights were turned on at 4.15pm by children Neve Farrow, five, and Poppy Laidlaw, six, in the town's main square after a competition had been run at Attleborough's infant school.

The mayor of Attleborough Jeremy Burton led hundreds of people in the switch-on count down, which followed the blessing of the town's Christmas tree by Rev Matthew Jackson, rector of St Mary's Church.

Town crier, Alan Austin at the Attleborough Christmas Carnival and lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

The switch-on event saw a whole host of fun activities staged during the day, including fairground rides, Santa's grotto, vintage bus rides and a chance to meet Attleborough's firefighting crew.

There were craft stalls in the town hall and St Mary's Church, which also held a carol singing session after the switch-on.

Attleborough's Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Staff from the Sainsbury's store also handed out free mince pies.

Attleborough's Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Attleborough's Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Attleborough's Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Town crier, Alan Austin at the Attleborough Christmas Carnival and lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Jessica Sharpe, left, and her brother Joshua, and Darcy Andrews enjoying a fair ride at the Attleborough Christmas Carnival and lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Rhianna Thomas, five, enjoys a fair ride at the Attleborough Christmas Carnival and lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Darcy Andrews, two, takes a close look at Attleborough's Christmas tree lights at the town's Christmas Carnival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Darcy Andrews, two, takes a close look at Attleborough's Christmas tree lights at the town's Christmas Carnival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Poppy Laidlaw, six, left, and Neve Farrow, five, turn the switch with help from Gill Hastie from the carnival committee, to turn the lights switch on at Attleborough's Christmas Carnival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Darcy Andrews, two, takes a close look at Attleborough's Christmas tree lights at the town's Christmas Carnival. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Attleborough's Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2016)

Attleborough Mayor, Jeremy Burton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)