Wide-eyed with wonder, the children of Brampton saw their town transformed into a festive wonderland in just a few magical hours.

There were wise men on actual camels, snow falling magically from a cafe window, and the star of the the show - Santa in his slay, his “Ho, ho, ho” booming loudly as he waved to an adoring public.

In Brampton at least, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

This year’s Christmas lights switch-on garnered warm praise from the hundreds of people who braved the late November chill.

“It’s brilliant,” said former Bramptonian Nathan Dessimone, there with partner Christine, children Ruaridh, six, five-year-old twins Eilidh and Harris, and nephew Karlo, four. “It’s brought the community together and the organisers deserve credit.”

Organiser Brampton parish council was well represented - including by its chairman David Moorat, who said: “It’s been wonderful. It’s nice to see the community turn out. Over the past six or seven years it’s got better and better. We have a very supportive community. You always get a warm welcome in Brampton.”

The council’s clerk, Allison Riddell, said: “We try to get across the proper message of Christmas. We don’t get a celebrity to switch on the lights. This year it’s a six-year-old local boy.”

Local businesses have also been supportive, she said.

For local families, the event is a Christmas highlight. Richard and Hazel Elliott were watching with their children Anna, 14, and Amy, seven. “We come every year,” said Hazel. “It’s nice to see people you don’t normally see.”

Also there were Mark Mallinson and Sammy Crabbe, with Kara, five, Ellis, five, and baby Zach. “This doesn’t happen in every town,” said Mark. “The kids love it. Anybody who’s anybody is here.”

The camels came from Birmingham and the artificial snow from Mrs Brown’s cafe.

*In tomorrow’s News & Star: Wigton’s big switch-on