Sittingbourne Town Centre was thrown in to the festive spirit on Saturday as hundreds of people gathered round to watch the Christmas lights switch on in Sittingbourne High Street.

The Mayor of Swale Cllr Adrian Crowther carried out the honours.

He was joined on stage by Father Christmas, Miss Sittingbourne Rebecca Reeves and actors Steven Butler and Gemma Sutton who play Peter Pan and Wendy in this year’s panto at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

Sophie Shilling, 10, rode on Santa’s sleigh during the parade which took place before the big switch-on.

She also appeared on stage for the big event after she won a raffle organised by the Sittingbourne Christmas Lights Association.

Six-year-old Katie Williams also stood on stage with Sophie after her raffle ticket was drawn in second place.

The parade, which made its way from East Street to Central Avenue, also featured the Sittingbourne Boys’ Brigade and Sittingbourne Girls’ Brigade and the Distinction Twirlers of Medway.

There were also stalls selling goodies and fairground rides for the children and live music throughout the day plus displays by the Brigade bands and the Distinction Majorettes.

Pam Griggs, secretary for the association, said: “It went very well however eight lights couldn’t be switched on as we found the junction box connecting them was filled with water so rather than take a chance we decided to disconnect them.

"I think some people thought they just weren’t working though.”