THE FESTIVE season got underway in Malton at the weekend with the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Organised by Malton Town Council, with the support of local traders, the event included music and entertainment on Sunday afternoon.

The Ghost Caribou theatre group told Christmas stories using puppets around the Market Place while members of Kirkham Performing Arts performed outside the Old Town Hall.

Father Christmas also made a visit on his sleigh before helping Malton mayor Cllr Paul Andrews to switch on the Christmas lights.

The afternoon also saw town’s independent traders launch their Malton’s Christmas Cracker Campaign 2018, which will run from Sunday December 2, to Sunday, December 23.

The businesses involved have all contributed prizes which will be part of a hamper for the overall winner.

Cllr Andrews said: “I am delighted with the community support from residents attending the Malton Christmas Light Switch on.

“Feedback from residents attending thought that The Ghost Caribou theatre group from Bradford were excellent and added a different dimension to the switch on, another highlight was the Minster FM snow machine which was certainly a great hit. Members of Malton Town Council would like to wish all residents, visitors and businesses in Malton a very merry Christmas.”