MALTON began its festive season last Thursday night with the switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Father Christmas performed the honours accompanied by entertainment from the White Star Band, Terrington Hall School Choir and Malton School Jazz Band.

As part of the event, there is also a treasure hunt with a theme of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which will take people round the town’s shops.

Sophie Legard, from the organising committee, said they were delighted with how the event had gone.

“Despite the situation with the flooding, lots of people came along and it went really well. We also had a few stalls at the event this year which added to the event and made it more welcoming,” she said.

Sophie said the Sunday opening, which started in Malton at the weekend and runs through December, had also been well supported.

“I have spoken to two or three traders and they said they had a brilliant day and there was certainly lots of people in town,” she said.