Hundreds of folk of all ages packed into Keighley’s Church Green for the town’s Christmas lights switch on late yesterday.

The illuminations were turned on at 4.30pm by a team including 2011 X Factor finalist Amelia Lily.

She was joined on stage by Keighley Mayor, Councillor Sally Walker, 2013 Keighley Gala Queen Samantha Hudson and Santa.

The many people who attended had plenty to keep them entertained, courtesy of Keighley Town Centre Association, the Airedale Shopping Centre and the Royal Arcade.

Attractions included a Pulse roadshow stage in Church Green, costumed characters such as Mickey Mouse and Buzz Lightyear, a fairground ride, stalls selling refreshments, balloons and children’s toys and Keighley Town Council’s horse-drawn black Maria.

Steve Seymour, manager of the Airedale Shopping Centre and chairman of Keighley Town Centre Association, said: “It’s been very good, maybe a bit up on numbers from last year though we won’t have the footfall figures till tomorrow.”

Ilkley Town Crier Chris Richards performed his final public function before retiring to officially switch on the town's Christmas lights on Saturday.

The former teacher took centre stage for the event, outside Christ Church, on The Grove. Christmas entertainment was provided by the Joze School of Performing Arts and the Performance Dance Group. The church choir sang carols, music was provided by Guiseley Brass Band, and Santa arrived on a carriage drawn by two white horses.

Scrooge and Santa paid a visit to Bradford Industrial Museum this weekend for its annual Victorian Christmas Market.

The two-day event saw thousands of people stream into the converted former mill in Eccleshill to browse over 60 stalls and learn some festive Victorian crafts.