Around 300 people gathered in the Ladybrook Square in Mansfield for the area’s first ever Christmas lights switch-on event.

World sidecar champion Ben Birchall switched on the lights with Santa and postmistress and main organiser Alka Bhatt.

Stuart Nicholson entertained the crowd, playing a selection of Christmas songs in the build-up to the switch-on.
Santa gave out sweets and chocolates to youngsters.

Funding for the event was provided by Mansfield District councillors Terry Clay, Stuart Richardson and Sally Higgins, together with Nottinghamshire County councillors Diana Meale and Paul Henshaw.

Mansfield 103.2 broadcast from the square.

Bill Taylor from the Christmas Lights Committee, along with Mansfield District Council engineer Andy Powers, designed the lighting scheme and praised the event.

A raffle raised £180 for the charity MIND.