Putting the sparkle into Sheringham: Festive crowds enjoy Christmas lights switch-on

A procession of lantern-carrying youngsters pushing illuminated bikes, trikes and scooters set the scene for Sheringham's Christmas lights switch on ceremony.

Organised by the town's carnival committee and Sheringham Primary School teacher Becky Robinson in memory of local youth club and Salvation Army stalwart Graham 'Jumbo' Curlew, who died last year, the parade wound its way down Station Road to the town centre.

Pre switch-on entertainment, which was introduced by town crier Andrew Cunningham-Brown and Sheringham Little Theatre pantomime star Neil Paris, included performances by young panto cast members, Sheringham Salvation Army Band and Sheringham Primary School's handbell ringers, choir and ukulele group.

Other attractions included a snow machine, stalls settling mulled wine and roast chestnuts and a town clock Santa's grotto, which attracted a large queue of youngsters.

Following the presentation of prizes to 'best dressed shop window' competition winners by Sheringham Chamber of Trade, the countdown was given, before the switch was thrown to the delight of a large crowd.

The lights, which have benefited from more than £6,000 of investment raised from a variety show and auction, look set to twinkle even brighter next year after the show performed to a sell-out audience for a second time last week, raising thousands for new lights and for local charity Love for Leo, which was set up by retired Sheringham GP Moss Taylor to support children with cerebral palsy.