THE festive season in Chester-le-Street was launched on Saturday when the town's Christmas lights were switched on.
District council chairman Councillor Tom Harland turned on the lights that adorn the Christmas tree near the Market Place and which are also strung across Front Street.
There was a party atmosphere as, to get people in the seasonal spirit, there were performances by the town's Civic Choir, the Territorial Army Cadet band, the Lumley Castle Singers, the Salvation Army Band and the Churches Together Choir.
Town crier Marjorie Dodds braved the rain to read a proclamation which declared the start of the afternoon's events.
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