THE first signs of Christmas came to the region last night with festive lights switched on in two Teesside towns.

Thousands of people were in Centre Square in Middlesbrough for a big, lottery-funded event which has been planned since the start of the year.

A 'Christmas Dream Machine' performance was put on between the law courts and Mima with a massive fireworks finale, officially marking the start of the town's festivities and marking the biggest Christmas lights switch-on the town has seen.

The event was supported by the Arts Council England’s National Lottery funded Project Grants programme.

The planning for the event, dubbed the 'Magical Middlesbrough Christmas' by the council, has been ongoing since January. A mini-fair and stalls also filled Centre Square.

Two Boro players, Jordan Hugill and Dael Fry, were guests at the event.

In Redcar crowds were entertained by a Rat Pack tribute act before mayor Dennis Teasdale switched on the lights.

Children enjoyed rides and visited Santa while their parents browsed the special Christmas market, looking for gifts and tasty treats.

Councillor Carl Quartermain, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Communications, said: “As ever, our Christmas light switch on was a great evening, full of family fun.

“We have so much going on throughout the borough during the festive season, with special markets, parades, Santa’s grotto at the Saltburn Cliff Tramway, entertainment every Saturday in December near the Redcar town clock and the ever popular Boxing Day Dip.

“Our town centres are full of great shops, including small unique independents as well as larger chain stores, and with free parking in all Council-operated car parks after 1pm throughout December, I hope people support their local traders and shop locally.”