Thousands watch as Christmas lights switched on across Shropshire
Thousands of people lined the streets in towns across the region to see Christmas lights switched on.
About 1,000 people turned out in Malinslee, Telford, where lights were switched on for the first time in more than 20 years last night.
The streets were lit up by Telford MP David Wright, Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota and ward councillor Shaun Davies. A Christmas tree was also set up, fireworks lit and Santa put in an appearance.
The lights were brought back to the area thanks to a £2,000 cash injection from Great Dawley Parish Council and the Ward Co-operative Fund aimed at rejuvenating the area.
Councillor Davies said: "It was an absolutely brilliant event and a fantastic turnout by the community, too."
Broadcaster and former politician Gyles Brandreth switched on the Christmas lights in Tenbury Wells in front of crowds of more than 200 people.
Mr Brandreth, who features regularly on BBC1's The One Show, turned on the town's festive lights before performing his One to One Show on stage at the Regal Cinema in Tenbury as part of a national tour.
He arrived about 10 minutes late after being caught in heavy traffic on the M40 while travelling up from London, and while on stage he spoke to an audience of more than 170 about his career and his time at Westminster, when he served as MP for Chester between 1992 and 1997.
