THE countdown to Christmas began in lively fashion on Friday when Santa Claus himself arrived to help switch on Alton’s festive lights.

Despite the cold, the Market Square was packed for the annual ceremony, organised by Alton Town Council and hosted this year by councillors Bisi Eni-Olotu and Dean Phillips.

The festivities began with the playing of traditional carols by the Alton Salvation Army Band before Alton town crier Stan Whitcher rang his bell to introduce the comperes for the evening and to herald the arrival of the Holybourne Singers onto the stage.

Led by Rebekah Abbott, the choir got proceedings off to a traditional start with a rousing rendition of Handle’s Messiah.

Then it was the turn of the young choristers from Alton Infant School who, dressed in Christmas hats, sung their hearts out for an appreciative audience.

Having been found among the crowd, the town mayor’s chaplain, the Reverend Andrew Micklefield, made his way onto the stage to talk about the run-up to Christmas.

With just 696 hours to go, he said, much of which would be spent sleeping, eating and working, it was important to stop and think about what was really important at Christmas – it was not just about bright lights and presents but about welcoming Jesus into our hearts.

The fun began in earnest then as Dean and Bisi encouraged the crowd to sing as loudly as they could, first to wake up Alton mayor Matthew Bayliss, asleep in the Town Hall who, on hearing the noise, stuck his head out of a window and agreed to come down and join in the fun.

Once on stage, voices were raised again – this time rousing Stanley the Alton Lion from his slumber in the Market Hotel and, accompanied by Elf and Safety, he too came down to join the fun.

A final robust rendition of Jingle Bells woke Santa from his bed and, having leaned out of another window and waved to the crowd of excited children below, he too made his way to join the mayor on the stage where they conducted a countdown before pushing the plunger to officially switch on Alton’s new Christmas lights.

Following Santa’s departure, whisked off eventually aboard a gleaming 1995 Red Ford Mustang convertible, brought along for the occasion by Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry member Julian Felgate, the festivities continued with fair rides for the children provided by Bernice Wall.

The town’s Christmas lights will be lit from 3pm to 11pm each evening, until January 6.

In addition, there is illuminated Nativity scene in Alton Town Council’s Market Square shop which will remain there throughout December.