Crowds gather in town centre for lights ceremony

8:43am Thursday 30th November 2006

TV STAR Emma Samms illuminated Cirencester Market Place and formally kicked off the festive season in the town on Saturday.

Throughout the day people of all ages enjoyed Christmas shopping and the various performances on the big stage.

There were bags of interesting stalls and street entertainment, with junior fair rides and Santa's grotto for the youngsters.

Carol singing, mince pies and mulled wine were in abundance and shoppers enjoyed the late opening hours as they searched for bargains.

Then at around 6.30pm the crowds counted down from ten before Emma Samms flicked the switch and lit up the town centre.

BBC Radio DJ Vernon Harwood thanked everyone who helped organise the event, not least Cirencester Chamber of Commerce and Cirencester Town Council.

Chamber of Commerce president Jonathan Davies said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors and helpers. I thought it went really, really well.

"The weather wasn't as kind as last year but even despite that the attendance was good, which shows what a popular event it is for the town. The market has firmly established itself in Cirencester and really helps to put us on the map."