VILLAGERS got into the festive spirit last night as their first Christmas lights were switched on.

People gathered on the village green in Sherburn Village to see the lights on the Christmas tree go on.

The lights were switched on by ten-year-old Richard Davies, a local schoolboy, who was picked for the role after winning a drawing competition.

Carol singers set the mood for the occasion, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band from Sherburn Hill, before celebrations moved into the Lambton Arms pub, for a taste of mulled wine and mince pies.

Parish council chairman Stuart Walton said: "It is the first time we have had lights in the village at Christmas.

"Last year, we had a tree but no lights and the kids made various decorations for it.

"There were people who said it would be attacked by vandals, but we were heartened when it wasn't touched.

"People have been very supportive and encouraging.

"It is a way of bringing the village together - people on the new estate and people like myself who have lived here all their life."

The tree was provided by Sherburn Parish Council and the lights by Durham County Council.