Fireworks get Christmas off to flying start in Holt

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

TV presenter Helen McDermott got the celebrations underway by turning on the town's Christmas lights tonight (Wednesday).

And many businesses stayed open late to join in the festivities as hundreds of shoppers converged on the shopping centre.

A pantomime horse race, won by property agents Sowerbys, and lantern parade were among the attractions at the event which included a community sing-a-long with the cast of the Cromer Pier Christmas Show.

Organiser Iain Wilson said: 'This is the one night of the year that we try to bring both traders and the community of Holt together.

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

'This was the first year we have held the pantomime race, we had 13 horses from different businesses in the town.' And he added: 'It was a fantastic sight - absolutely brilliant.'

Holt is famed for its range of independent shops which attract shoppers from far and wide, including members of the royal family.

Welcoming the turnout, James Feeney, proprietor of Feeney's newsagents, in the town's Market Place, said: 'We've had a very good year with lots of people about. Last year it was very, very wet and it really killed the spirit. But this year we have a good amount of people and the pantomime horses were good.'

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)

Holt Christmas Light Switch on 2016 kicks off with a pantomime horse race and finishes with a fireworks display.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2016 (Image: Archant 2016)