Slideshow: Crowds gather to see the Christmas Lights switch on in Gainsborough

A full day of entertainment was organised from two stages, one in the Market Place and the other at Marshall’s Yard, all building up to the Christmas lights being switched on.

The two venues were linked by a lantern parade by more than 100 primary school children.

The town centre lights were switched on by Gainsborough’s Citizen of the Year, Shan Jaehrig, and competition winner Tilly Webb, five, turned on the lights in Marshall’s Yard.

Titan the Robot made an appearance and headline acts were The Torn at Marshall’s Yard and Silvertree in the town centre.

Traditional festive music was provided by the Tickhill Male Voice Choir and The Grimethorpe Colliery Youth Brass Band as well as the Salvation Army Band.

There were also live performances from Lizzie Goddard and Dom Major and a host of other local choirs, groups and dance troupes, as well as fairground rides and traditional markets.

It’s estimated that at least 10,000 people visited both the town’s market place and the shopping centre to enjoy the free event throughout the day.

Assistant Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard, Alison Hall, said: “It’s always fantastic to see the town lit up for Christmas, this is undoubtedly our biggest event of this year and the success of Saturday’s Big Switch On exceeded even our expectations.”

“We wanted to stage a joint event and it’s fantastic what can be achieved when everyone works together.”

“It was a great community event and we had some fantastic and talented local performers from right across the region giving up their time help make the day a great success.”

“We’d like to thank everyone who has been involved.”