MORE than 2,000 people packed into Warminster High Street on Saturday (November 30) to see Longleat’s Ceawlin and Emma, Viscount and Viscountess Weymouth, switch on the town’s Christmas Lights display.

The switch-on took place outside the Chapel of St Lawrence at 6.30pm and was the climax of a day-long series of activities and events from 10am to early evening.

Viscountess Weymouth joined fresh from the dance floor of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing where she wowed the judges with an elegant Viennese Waltz and earned four nines from the judges.

Warminster mayor, Cllr Paul Macfarlane said: “I am thrilled to welcome Ceawlin and Emma to our Christmas festivities this is going to be the best yet.”

The Christmas celebrations began with a Christmas Market in Warminster Civic Centre packed with gifts and treats from local businesses.

Children and adults queued to see Father Christmas in his magical grotto and marvelled at two stilt walking reindeer characters.

The town’s High Street and Market Place were packed with thousands of people for the switch-on, after being closed to traffic, making way for food stalls and children’s entertainment.

The Jamma De Samba band led the children’s lantern procession from the Three Horseshoes Walk at 5.45pm to the Chapel of St Lawrence, where the town’s Christmas tree took centre stage.

While they waited, the crowds were entertained by zumba, stilt walkers, Charlie the donkey and a petting zoo.

A local choir sang Christmas carols and visitors were encouraged to join in the fun.