THE winner of the Westbury Mayor’s traditional Christmas card design competition got to switch on the town’s festive lights display.
Finley Lawson, 6, a pupil at Bitham Brook Primary School, was chosen to switch on the Christmas lights and got a helping hand from stage presenter Leander Morales.
The big switch-on heralded the start of Westbury’s run-in to the Christmas and New Year with seasonal activities taking place in the Market Place, Westbury High Street, Maristow Street, The Parish Hall and All Saints Church.
Cllr Cunningham said: Mayor of Westbury, Cllr Ian Cunningham, said: “The event was a great success and I was delighted to see so many Westbury residents coming out for the lights switch-on.
"The Market Place was full with hundreds of people joining in the Christmas spirit, it was the best-attended event the Town Council has ever organised." 
"I want to thank all those who helped make the event happen, especially the incredibly hard-working Westbury Town Council staff led by Martin Dawson our events co-ordinator, the creative direction from Leander Morales of GM3 Music, our fantastic volunteers and of course Father Christmas, who made a special appearance."
Hundreds of residents gathered for the big switch-on and enjoyed an evening of spectacular entertainment as part of a programme of seasonal fun.
It included an appearance by the magical Snow Lion at the funfair; a Santa’s Grotto; an indoor and outdoor winter market; and an evening music concert with music from local groups and a 40-strong gospel choir.
The Snow Lion and Christmas Elves also paraded through the market to announce its opening, while local dance group, Infinity Dance, performed in the Market Place to get the party going. 
Father Christmas met local children in Santa’s Grotto in the Market Place until 5pm.
During the evening, the Market Place stage came alive with a exciting evening concert featuring a Christmas message from local Reverend Rhona Floate and a special Westbury video.
Music, including all the Christmas Classics, were provided by the Will Blake Band, local favourites The Frome Street Bandits and Westbury’s Mollie Green. 
There was also a performance from the 40-piece PSG Pop, Soul and Gospel choir to keep the Westbury crowd entertained in the lead up to the switch-on.