Christmas arrives in Bury St Edmunds

Lily with santa at the Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The town centre was bustling as local hero Daniel Challenor pressed the button to turn on the festive illuminations.

Mr Challenor, front of house manager at Wagamama restaurant in the town, saved a customer's life on his first day at the job, giving life-saving CPR before medics arrived at the scene - and earning himself a Stars of Suffolk award.

Santa at the Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

A spokesman for OurBuryStEdmunds said this year's lights switch-on was a huge success.

"I don't have the official figure for the number of people who celebrated the lights switch on but the town centre was packed with people", she said.

The ferris wheel at the Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"We had a fantastic stage show by the Suffolk police choir and the cast of the Theatre Royal's pantomime.

"Everything went really well and the weather held out too. "From the time the crowds started gathering, just after 4pm, the weather was really good. "It was a bit chilly but more than you can hope for at this time of year.

The Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"The lights switch-on is really well supported by the people of Bury St Edmunds and marks the start of the Christmas shopping season in style."

Next week the town hosts the famous Bury St Edmunds Christmas Market, starting on Thursday afternoon and running until Sunday. Thousands are expected to visit the market town, taking in the Christmas lights, browsing the many and varied stalls and enjoying street performers, funfair rides and delicacies.

A happy elf at the Bury light switch onPicture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Daniel Challenor turning the christmas lights on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Local hero Daniel Challenor turned on the lights for Bury this year Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

sasha with the christmas elf Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The Suffolk constabulary male choir took to the stage Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The St Johns ambulance team Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The Jessica Barber academy of dance Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

CHristmas characters spreading joy at the light switch on in Bury Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Daisy and Richie Farrow enjoying the christmas lights Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Ladies on stilts at the Bury christmas light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

A happy christmas elf Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The tudor luxury praline serving caramelised almonds at the Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Harper May with her favourite characters Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Ruby Brooklyn enjoying the christmas lights Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Sisters Constance and Clemency enjoying the light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Michelle and nurse bury from my wish charity Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Balloon makers Paul and Theresa Pleasant Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Nancie and Sylvi having a great time at the christmas light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Lily with santa at the bury christmas switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Georgia King with her favourite characters Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Charlie from The Olde Sweet Shoppe stall at the Bury christmas light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Bury light switch on Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)