The biggest crowd for years turned out to see Sheerness’s new and improved Christmas lights sparkle for the first time.

The official switch on was carried out on Saturday by Will Palin, a leading figure in the campaign to restore Sheerness Dockyard Church, and Sheppey Snow Queens Hannah Thompson and Katie-Ann Goodsell, who were crowned last month.

Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure (SEAL) installed and part-funded the illuminations which surround the clocktower and go up the High Street and, for the first time in a number of years, along Broadway.

Up to 300 spectators watched the switch on and throughout the day shoppers made the most of festive activities going on in the town including a barrow selling mulled wine.

A grotto with Father Christmas was set up in the former O.So.U shop which had about 80 parents visit with as many as four children at a time.

Around £460 was raised through photos and fees which will go towards the planned return of the Sheerness Christmas carnival next year.

Stephanie Heaton, who organised the grotto and snow queens with fellow mums Nicola Bidgood, Sharon Morgan and Kristina Webb, said: “It went over and above what we thought we were going to get.

“We were very pleased. We had so many people coming in we even had to turn some away when we went to go up to the lights.

“We can’t believe how successful it was. We had to send people out for more selection boxes.

She added: “That is the most people I’ve seen in quite a long time for the switch on.”

Miss Heaton thanked Minnie and Mickey Mouse from Sheerness Mascots who only meant to be there for two hours but stayed for five to entertain children.

She added that several requests to have the Snow Queens attend other events came in via Facebook the next day.

Father Christmas will be back in his grotto on Saturday, December 13, for the lantern parade.

Mrs Morgan also thanked the following people for their help:

‘Santa’ Colin Bidgood; Lauren Thompson for doing the beauty queens’ hair; Colleen O’Neil proprietor of Collywobbles boutique, Sittingbourne, for the loan of one of queens’ dresses and

John Perkins for grotto photography.

She also paid tribute to John and Jackey Weightman for the “overly generous donation” of Christmas decorations.

This included two trees complete with lights and decorations, plus every single light decoration throughout the entire grotto.