HIGH Wycombe is glistening in the glow of fairy lights tonight after TV star Lesley Joseph officially started the countdown to Christmas.

The Birds of a Feather actress and star of the Wycombe Swan’s panto Cinderella pressed the plunger to illuminate the town.

Lesley told the crowd she was ‘delighted to be back in Wycombe’, having performed at the Swan earlier in the year, and was looking forward to the panto before she danced around the stage with Santa.

Thousands of people packed into to Frogmoor to witness the annual switch on of the Christmas lights – as well as a host of festive-themed performances from dance troupes, bands and schools.

Wycombe Wanderers captain Gareth Ainsworth gave a couple of festive favourites with a rock twist as he performed alongside south Bucks band Subrosa5 to bring the curtain down on the event.

Downley’s X Factor hopeful Leigh-Anne Pinnock can expect a barrage of extra votes this weekend after the Songbirds rallied support for their former member following a dazzling performance.

While a Michael Buble tribute act, dance troupe Breaking Pointe and upcoming boyband Concept wowed the excited crowd.

Before the main event, pantomime co-stars Gemma James and Matt Slack led 200 school children carrying home-made lanterns through the town to the Frogmoor stage in a horse-drawn cart.

The Mayor of High Wycombe Cllr Chaudhary Ditta, who was also in the cart for the parade, hailed the event.

He said: “It’s a lovely evening, it’s good for the children and everyone is enjoying it. Merry Christmas to everyone in High Wycombe and enjoy this very precious festival.”

Children had their photo taken with Santa and his reindeer, and also took a spin on a host of funfair rides that were around the town.

The event was organised by the High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership.

BID manager for the partnership Oliver O’Dell said: “I hope this event proves that High Wycombe can be a fun place to come, to spend your money and spend time. I hope you’ll all come back next year.”

Revisit the BFP website tomorrow for photos and over the weekend for a video.

Or follow us on Twitter @bucksfreepress to see the pictures we uploaded live, throughout the event.