HUNDREDS braved the rain to gather in Middlesbrough town centre to watch the Christmas lights switch-on.

Buildings shone in a rainbow of lights after four local youngsters threw the switch to cheers from the audience.

Barbara Wren, Middlesbrough town centre manager, said: "We were delighted so many people still came even though it was so wet, because it turned out to be such a wonderful evening.

"Despite the bad weather the lights switch-on, the children's choirs and the entertainers were spectacular.

"It is the first time we have had anything as impressive as this and the crowd seemed to really enjoy themselves.

"All four quadrants in the town were full of people who wanted to see what was happening and they certainly were not disappointed."

The town centre now boasts two large Christmas trees, one in the precinct near Binns, and the other in Victoria Square.

Thirty six smaller trees, including 16 above shops, are each lit by 300 small lights to help get people in the mood after the Christmas shopping period was officially launched by BBC Radio Cleveland presenter John Foster.

Extended opening hours and special parking concessions are designed to make shopping as convenient as possible.

Ice skating in Victoria Square, the Cairngorm reindeers and the Christmas market are among attractions organised by Middlesbrough Town Centre Company and the council.

Les Southerton, Middlesbrough Town Centre Company's chief executive, said: "This is the best display Middlesbrough has ever seen.

"The launch, like all of our seasonal events is especially to make this a family Christmas."