A TOWN came to light to mark the start of its Christmas shopping season.

More than 5,000 people packed into Colne town centre for its annual festive market, which was followed by it's Christmas light switch on.

In an unusual twist the lights came on individually as they were passed by hundreds of children and adults taking part in a torch light parade.

Naiomi Crewe, administration and events manager at Colne Town Council which organised the festival, said: "It has been a brilliant day. It has been fun for all the family. The torch light parade was amazing with hundreds of people turning the Christmas lights on in Colne.

"This was the first weekend where the real Christmas shopping season starts in Colne and we wanted to mark it with a special event for all the community which I think we have.

"The rain and the snow didn't put people off and it really was an amazing day. It was great to see the town centre so busy and we have managed to attract people from as far a field as Cumbria."

Among the entertainment at the festival were funfair rides, free donkey rides, food stalls, morris dancers, carol singers, Helen Green's Dance Academy, Aden Angels and Pendle Community Choir.

That was followed by the torch light parade, led by Santa and Colne Town Council chairman Paul Foxley, Christmas light switch on and fireworks.

Jill Bailey, who attended the event with her daughters Lily, six, and Polly, three, said: "It was really good. I was very impressed. We went in to the festival in the day, went home and came back out for the parade.

"It was good to see so many people in the town centre. The children were really excited. They really loved it."

Amy Stockdale, who attended the event with her son Freddy, four, said: "It was a really good event for the children. There were plenty of food stalls as well, which was more than I expected

"It was good to see everyone out supporting the town. It shows that Colne is getting better."