Darlington was flooded with colour yesterday as the run-up to Christmas began in style.
The town's festive lights were switched on by Darlington Civic Theatre pantomime star Linda Lusardi and Pop Idol's Aaron Bailey. Thousands gathered to see the event, which featured a fireworks display and was followed by a music roadshow in the Market Square.
Designs for some of the festive lights were provided by four Darlington children. They were: Springfield School pupils Lee Barnes, ten, who created a Jack and the Beanstalk design; Chelsea Jenkinson, five, whose design was based on Snow White; Lisa McCormick, ten, who depicted Dick Whittington; and Megan McGuire, six, from Mowden Infant School, who created an angel.
They were the winners of an Orange-sponsored competition to design the lights across Blackwellgate.
The winner of the schools' Christmas carol competition, held as part of the event, was Alderman Leach Primary School.
* A full report and pictures of the carol competition will appear in tomorrow's edition of The Northern Echo.
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