It's Merry Xmas Everybody as Slade star Dave Hill switches on Oakengates lights
It was a case of Merry Xmas Everybody as the festive lights went on in a host of towns across the region.
In Oakengates, Dave Hill of Slade, the guitarist on one of the most famous Christmas songs in the world, did the honours. And some lucky revellers even managed to get their photo taken with him.
Dave's appearance topped off a day of hog roasts and mulled wine to mark the start of the festive countdown. Youngsters also entertained crowds by singing carols before the switch-on.
It was a similar scene in in Oswestry where thousands turned out as roads were closed and filled with stalls for the occasion, a synthetic ice rink was installed in Festival Square and a fun fair held.
The festivities finished last night with fireworks in Cae Glas Park, but will continue today with 40 floats winding their way through the town.
In Wem the Christmas lights switch-on saw a nativity play, the crowning of the snow queen, and craft and food stalls around the town centre. In Welshpool, the switch-on followed a fancy-dress parade before the town centre was filled with live music to kick-start start a weekend of fun.
