Last updated 10:12, Friday, 28 November 2008

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Timmy and Heather James enjoying the Cockermouth Lights switch on with their sons Jack, 8, and Ben, 5.

HUNDREDS of people lined Cockermouth’s Main Street on Sunday to watch the town’s Christmas lights switch-on.

They braved the cold weather to see Cockermouth mayor Isabel Burns with schoolchildren from Fairfield infants and juniors, All Saints and St Joseph’s, switch on the lights.

Organised by Cockermouth Town Council, the event was jam-packed with entertainment that took place on Main Street from 2.15pm and was hosted by local businessman Billy Bowman.

Highlights included a performance from Cockermouth’s leisure centre dance group, Dancing with Divas, fire twirling from Claudio Stahl, carol singing with the Cockermouth Mechanics Band and street entertainer Ryan Davies.

Also performing were the Belfagan Ladies Morris Dancers and the Cumberland Morris Men and there were many charity stalls.

Many people queued to see Father Christmas in his Main Street grotto, while Clown Petro entertained children and parents on stage.

Mrs Burns and the youngsters turned the lights on at 5pm.

She said: “Overall it has been a very successful day.  The weather has helped as there was a much bigger crowd than last year and I want to thank everybody for turning up.”

Paul Holliday, 30, of Brigham who attended with his family, said: “There has been a really good atmosphere and the weather has been kind to us as well. The children have loved every minute of it.”

Heather James, 40, of Blennerhasset, attended with her two children Jack, eight, and Ben, five.

She said: “It has been a very nice day and the children have enjoyed everything. 

“It is great to see so many people turn up to watch the switch on.”

Siddick papermill Iggesund Paperboard donated the two large Christmas trees on Main Street and Gote Bridge and the National Trust provided the tree next to the Wordsworth bust opposite Wordsworth House.

The lights, which stretch along Main Street, Station Street, Station Road, Kirkgate and Market Place will stay on until January 5.