SPIRITS were high at the annual Wellington Christmas lights switch on despite the heavy rain squalls.

Hundreds gathered to see the grand switch on at 6 pm on Saturday (November 29) by mayor Cllr Janet Lloyd and Year 6 pupils from Wellesley Park Primary School to mark the start of the festive season.

Wellington Prep School choir kicked off the event with their festive tunes to put families into the Christmas spirit.

They were followed by Blackdown Community Choir, the Wellington Majorettes, Court Fields Glee Club, Wellesley Park School Choir and many more talents who shined on stage.

As the singers and dancers performed on both the main stage and the high street as shoppers browsed a bustling Christmas market.

Stalls selling local produce, handmade decorations, baked goods and gifts drew in steady crowds, many eager to get ahead on their seasonal shopping while supporting independent makers.

Adding to the magic, Santa made an early stop in Wellington, taking up residence in his grotto at the King’s Arms Community Hub.

Dozens of excited children queued to share their Christmas wishes and pose for photographs with the man in red.

A highlight of the Christmas lights switch on was the announcement of the Mayor's Christmas card competition which saw more than 200 entries from youngsters across Wellington.

The Christmas card competition invited children under 12 to design a card that the Mayor of Wellington will send to dignitaries throughout Somerset.

Julietta Sellick took the prize with her unique design depicting Santa and a snowman on a snowy background.

She received a Wellington Town Council enamel pin and a dozen blank copies of the card to send to friends and family.

The Wellington Christmas lights were funded by the town council and will stay up until January 6.

The council recently agreed to extend its contract for the lights by another 12 months and will then look to change them.