CROWDS turned out in force for the switching on of Keighley's Christmas lights.

Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny Dingle in the top ITV soap, performed the honours.

He was joined on stage by Santa Claus and town mayor, Councillor Luke Maunsell.

Yesterday's switch on, which also included a fireworks display, was part of a glittering afternoon of entertainment.

There was a host of musical performances in the Church Green car park area – featuring The Trilogies, Voices of Yorkshire choir and Marigold Addams, who appeared as Cher on ITV's Starstruck.

Cllr Maunsell said the switch on event was "the greatest I have ever seen".

"The acts were brilliant and the turnout from the public was beyond my imagination," he added.

"I am deeply proud of this town for coming out in the cold and joining together in such a wonderful way.

"I extend my deepest thanks to everybody – from our offices which made this possible, our partners at RSH Artisan Markets, all our special guests, Santa and especially Bradley Johnson.

"It was a perfect start to the Christmas period!"

And Steve Seymour, manager of the Airedale Shopping Centre, says it was "a fantastic" afternoon.

He added: "It was very well attended.

"The acts that showcased the event were brilliant – from the opening performer Voices of Yorkshire, to Marigold Addams and The Trilogies, with Bradley Johnson switching on the lights. It all made for a great day.

"An artisan market and children's rides added a new and welcome feature, from last year.

"I have to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who came along to the event and also to the people who made it happen – from the Keighley Town Council team to the centre's team. Everyone worked together to make this a special, family-friendly switch on and to launch Christmas shopping in the town."

The Airedale Shopping Centre has a free Santa's grotto in the run-up to Christmas.

It is open next Sunday (December 4) and on weekends December 10-11 and 17-18, from 11am to 3pm. Then it will be open from Monday, December 19, until Friday, December 23, between 10am and 2pm, and on Christmas Eve from 11am to 2pm.

Other town-centre festive attractions include a Christmas market at the Royal Arcade, in Low Street.

It takes place on Saturday, December 10, between 10am and 4pm.

There will be market stalls, carol singers, free face painting and a treasure hunt. And the popular tours of the underground street are making a return. Tickets for the tours can be booked at historical-royal-arcade.sumupstore.com, or visit the office in the arcade.

The Keighley Festive Bauble Project is taking place for a third year.

As part of the venture, children and adults across the town are being encouraged to create baubles – which will be displayed on the Christmas tree in the Airedale Shopping Centre.

People can print off their own template for a bauble at facebook.com/keighleychristmasbaubles, where information about the progress of the scheme and workshops can also be found.