It might still be more than a month to Christmas but the festive spirit has well and truly arrived in Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: The City Hall lit up after the Christmas lights were switched on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe City Hall lit up after the Christmas lights were switched on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Thousands of people, young and old, turned out for the annual Christmas lights switch-on to see the city turned into a twinkling, sparkling and brightly-coloured winter wonderland.

There was a range of festive fun, music and entertainment across the city yesterday evening including Father Christmas himself leading a colourful parade through the city centre from 6pm, starting at Norwich Cathedral and finishing at Gentleman's walk.

But by 7pm all eyes were on City Hall where former Anglia TV presenter Helen McDermott, who has also worked for Mustard TV and Radio Norwich, did the honours and switched on Christmas - sending fireworks shooting up into the sky as she did so.

The Christmas lights stretched almost for as far as the eye could see, across the city centre, into The Norwich Lanes and into Norwich Cathedral Quarter.

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds make their way slowly through the popular Tunnel of Lights at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds make their way slowly through the popular Tunnel of Lights at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

The spectacular switch-on put some real seasonal cheer into the crowds of people who descended on the city centre where The Tunnel of Light has made a welcome return with its 50,000 sequenced lights that reflect the patterns and colours of the Northern Lights.

Chris Hansell, 72, from Thorpe, attended the event with her grandson Corin, 10, and said they both loved it.

She said: 'I thought it was very good.

'It's a good way to get into Christmas.

Eastern Daily Press: Helen McDermott with the Lord Mayor, David Fullman, after she switched on the Norwich Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYHelen McDermott with the Lord Mayor, David Fullman, after she switched on the Norwich Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'I think its lovely bringing everyone together. It's a real family evening.'

Corin said: 'I thought it was really good. I loved it.'

Mariela Nakeva, 27, from Norwich, her partner Stanislav Rosef, 32, and their one-year-old son Iliyan were attending the switch on for the first time.

She said: 'It was very spectacular.

Eastern Daily Press: Helen McDermott ready to switch on the Norwich Christmas lights with Santa. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYHelen McDermott ready to switch on the Norwich Christmas lights with Santa. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'I like Christmas and I like sparkly so I liked this.'

Will Gayton, 23, from Norwich and his girlfriend Melissa Eden, 20, who lives near Harleston, were also attending for the first time.

They said they 'weren't expecting' the fireworks as well as the lights which they said looked 'good'.

Eastern Daily Press: Drummers lit up at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYDrummers lit up at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Drummers lit up at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYDrummers lit up at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Drummers lit up at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYDrummers lit up at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: The Ugly sisters entertain before the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Ugly sisters entertain before the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds enjoy the festive snowballs at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds enjoy the festive snowballs at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: One of the short films projected onto Norwich Castle at the Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYOne of the short films projected onto Norwich Castle at the Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Christmas lights in Davey Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYChristmas lights in Davey Place. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds make their way slowly through the popular Tunnel of Lights at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds make their way slowly through the popular Tunnel of Lights at the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Crowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCrowds enjoying the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Dancers entertain the crowds before the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYDancers entertain the crowds before the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Eastern Daily Press: Dancers entertain the crowds before the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYDancers entertain the crowds before the Norwich Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)