Hundreds of people braved the bitterly cold temperatures last night for Wymondham's annual Dickensian-themed Christmas lights switch-on.

The City of Norwich Pipe Band led a lantern-lit procession through the snow-lined streets to the Market Cross where town mayor Colin Fougler performed the duty of switching on the illuminations.

Organised praised the attendance, despite the sub-zero temperatures, for the annual Dickensian Evening, which is set to raise hundreds of pounds for the Wymondham Lions Club and the charities it supports.

Revellers sang carols around the Market Place and visited the many stalls and shops that stayed open late. Father Christmas also paid a visit to the town centre.

Mr Fougler, who coordinated the Christmas lights countdown in traditional Dickensian attire, said: 'We half wondered when we were sanding and gritting the pavements during the day whether it would happen and it has been a wonderful turn out.'

The Dickensian Christmas night has been organised by the Wymondham Lions Club for the last 20 years and raises around �1,000, which is distributed to local good causes.

Derek Fripp, chairman of the Lions, said: 'The main focus is to give something back to the people of Wymondham and it is their fun night and they always come out and enjoy themselves.'

There was also entertainment from a Punch and Judy show, Jack Frost, and Dave Doughnut.