Video: Xmas lights switch on with Shane Richie (From Bucks Free Press)

Video: Xmas lights switch on with Shane Richie

9:42pm Thursday 19th November 2009 in Local Video News By Simon Farr

THE stars were out in force in High Wycombe tonight as hundreds of beaming smiles welcomed the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Former EastEnders star Shane Richie and X-Factor contestant Daniel Pearce pressed the plunger at 7.30pm to bathe Frogmoor in the bright glow of thousands of fairylights.

They were joined on stage by High Wycombe mayor Julie Pritchard, Wycombe District Council chairman Alan Hill and Santa Claus.

Band Ear Candy kicked off the main stage entertainment before Totteridge singer Pearce wowed the crowds with a fantastic live set of classics and new material.

A theatrical adaptation of A Christmas Carol, featuring fire jugglers and dancers, kept the atmosphere building, before panto star Richie took to the stage to a huge roar from the crowd.

Earlier in the evening, more than 150 children from south Bucks schools, stilt walkers, dancers and fancy dress-clad performers marched along the High Street into Frogmoor as part of the dazzling Christmas Lights Parade.

Meanwhile, Eden welcomed talented choirs from eight south Bucks schools in the first heat of the hotly contested and highly popular Eden Christmas Choir Competition.

While the Chilterns Shopping Centre also got in on the festive fun, with staff adopting a Charles Dickens theme to re-work some of the author's classics.

The event, organised by the High Wycombe Town Partnership, also marked the beginning of late night Christmas shopping – with further festive events planned for the following three Thursdays.