Marlow’s restaurants got the seal of approval from baking queen, Mary Berry, before she flicked the switch on the town’s Christmas lights on Thursday.

The Bake Off star was in town on November 24 to officially kick off the festive season and boarded a double decker bus outside The Chequers pub in the High Street to illuminate the town with twinkling Christmas trees and garlands of fairy lights.

More than 6,000 people filled the High Street to watch the big moment, with Mary praising the town’s restaurant scene before pressing the red plunger and lighting up the town.

She said: “I know there is great shopping here and Marlow has the finest restaurants – I was in one of them yesterday.

“I'm very honoured and very excited to be here and have the job of putting on the lights. It is going to be magical.

“I have never, ever seen so many people here. From one end of the High Street, right down to the river.”

Town mayor, cllr Bob Johnson, said this year’s Christmas switch on was the “most amazing, wonderful event.”

Before Mary flicked the switch on the lights, he said: “Thank you for turning out in such great numbers. I'm delighted to see so many of you come to our Switch On and Shop.

“We have snow blowing, but also our national treasure, Mary Berry, to put on the lights for us.”

Speaking after the event, he said: “It’s fantastic - I’ve never seen so many people in the centre of Marlow. Mary is a fan of Marlow; she loves coming here to shop and to eat.

"She certainly did us proud at the Switch On and we’re so grateful to her for making the event extra special this year.”

The television star also lauded the “great news” of the bridge reopening after two months, to loud cheers from the crowds.

After a countdown from ten, the town centre was lit up, while Tim Ashburner, from Marlow FM, lead three cheers for Mary and one for the bridge.

After the big moment, crowds lingered in the High Street to enjoy a spot of late night shopping while enjoying carols and songs from the Marlow Choral Society, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Gospel Choir and the Tapestry Choir.  

This year’s Christmas lights fund was boosted by a “generous” donation from Girteka Logistics - the haulage company whose driver damaged Marlow Bridge on September 24 and forced it to close – with Liston Court and The Causeway also lit up for the first time. 

The television baker also dropped into the Marlow Bookshop on Spittal Street before the big switch-on, to sign copies of her books. One hundred lucky people got the chance to meet the star after snapping up free tickets for the exclusive event.