MORE than 2,000 people saw this year's Christmas lights being switched on in a Teesside town.
It had been hoped that Middlesbrough FC manager Steve McClaren would turn on the lights on Stockton High Street on Thursday night.
However, due to unforseen circumstances, the Boro boss had to drop out and three players turned up instead.
Emerging superstar Stewart Downing joined teenage sensations Tony McMahon and James Morrison.
Winger Downing, 20, has been tipped for an England call-up this season while 18-year-olds McMahon and Morrison have both broken through to the first team. Steve McClaren sent his apologies and wished the people of Stockton a merry Christmas.
Holahband joined long- time local favourites the Wildcats of Kilkenny on the stage by the town hall and Christmas carols were sung by children from Hartburn Primary School.
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