The festive spirit was well and truly alive in Warminster yesterday evening, as thousands of people packed the streets for the town’s annual Christmas lights switch-on.

Hundreds of schoolchildren took part in a lantern parade from the Central Car Park to Market Place before the lights switch-on, which was followed by a firework display.

The lights were turned on by Warminster businessman Terry Hillier, who is the managing director and founder of RACS Group, and his four-year-old daughter Ruby.

Mr Hillier, who was born in Warminster, said: “I was asked whether I would like to do it, but I knew my daughter would love to do it and she thought it was great fun.

“There must have been over 2,000 people out there and I would be surprised if it’s not one of the biggest yet. It was a brilliant turnout and looking down the street it was wall to wall with people.”

Earlier in the day, Warminster Civic Centre hosted a Christmas Market, with 30-plus stalls selling Christmas gift items, including rocking horses, jewellery, soft furnishings and sweets.

Children could also visit Santa Claus in his grotto, while festive music was provided by the choirs of Minster, Princecroft and Sambourne Schools, along with performances by Charlotte Mole and Richard Raw.

Mayor of Warminster Paul Batchelor said: “It’s a spectacular turnout and we are probably looking at around two or three thousand people.

“This happens because we have dedicated volunteers who enjoy seeing the smiling faces when the lights go up and they get up early in the morning to put the lights and trees out.

“People turn up and see how great the lights look, but sometimes they don’t realise quite how much work goes into it and the weeks of preparation the volunteers do.

“It was lovely to have Ruby turn the lights on as Christmas is really about the children. I also opened the Christmas Market, which was really very well attended.”

Warminster resident Amy Strong, who attended the switch-on with her children Ruby, three, and Corey, eight months, said: “It’s a great turnout and the fireworks were amazing.

“We haven’t been to the lights switch-on before and I wasn’t really expecting there to be many people, but there were so many people and it must be one of the biggest ever.”