SIX-year-old Alumbeni Makwela-Wali was concentration personified as he carried his candle and used it to trigger the 2,000 lights on the 30ft Christmas tree.

The lighting within Durham Cathedral was lowered and the congregation could make out only silhouettes amid the flickering candlelight.

The sound of Once in Royal David's City from the choir and clergy echoed around the cavernous building as they proceeded to the front.

Alumbeni, dressed smartly in a black suit with a white shirt and bow tie, did his duty earnestly to the delight of those watching, who queued to congratulate him afterwards.

The modest St Oswald's Infant School pupil said: "It went fine. I enjoyed holding my candle and lighting the tree up."

Alumbeni and his family live in Meadowfield, Durham, and regularly attend prayers at the cathedral.

He attends the cathedral Sunday School and was baptised there as a baby, but did not have a good start in life.

Alumbeni was born prematurely at 29 weeks, as his mother Grace had the rare disorder preeclampsia.

He weighed 2lb at birth and was given very little chance of survival, and needed a heart operation before he was two weeks old.

He also had a further operation for a hernia repair before he was six months old.

His proud father, Khaiko Makwela-Wali, an architect, said: "As parents, we believe in prayers and, as such, we have committed ourselves to bring him up within the faith.

"For Alumbeni to be asked on behalf of the Christian community at Durham Cathedral to light Christ's Eternal Light, that celebrates his birth, is a great honour to him, us as parents and the rest of his family.

"Alumbeni's name means 'to always glorify God', and all of us have really looked forward to this occasion.

"I think I was more nervous than he was, but he has been rehearsing at home and it has gone perfectly."

After the lighting, the Dean, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, performed the Blessing of The Crib.

He said: "The lighting of the Christmas Tree is always a magical event.

"For us at the cathedral, it is the launch of the festive season of joy, celebration, and thankfulness.

"As Dean, I cherish walking through the darkened cathedral with the child who has been chosen to light the candle on the tree.

"It's a great highlight of the year. I am sure that for Alumbeni, it is a moment he will never forget."