A TOWN was forced to cancel its Christmas lights switch-on event after it was hit by galeforce winds on Sunday.

Redcar's town centre manager, John Partridge, took the decision to cancel the event, which was to include performances by talent contest winners and a Santa's parade.

The event was to be held at lunchtime in Redcar High Street. But high winds prevented organisers from erecting the main stage in front of the town clock.

Mr Partridge said: "We were concerned about the safety of people gathering in the High Street, and bringing the parade down to an area that was getting increasingly stormy. It seemed to be the focus of very strong winds."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's mayor, Councillor Mary Ovens, had been looking forward to switching on the illuminations.

She said: "I'm extremely disappointed, but given the dreadful weather, it would have been completely unsafe."

Mr Partridge added: "A lot of people had put a lot of time and effort into planning the afternoon, and we're particularly disappointed for the winners of our Talent 2006 competition, who have been prevented from performing."

The lights are now in operation and Santa's grotto, which opened for the first time yesterday, will be open every weekday afternoon, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, on Saturdays, from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and on Sundays, from 1pm to 3pm.

Admission, which includes a gift from Santa, is £1.