Crook'S first Christmas lighting display has been switched on.

Earlier this year, the Crook Community Partnership and local traders raised enough money to decorate the town centre for the festive season.

On Friday afternoon, shoppers could see the results of their efforts as the decorations were illuminated.

Three pupils from local primary schools, Gemma Harper, Joanne Coote and Rosina Colling, switched on the lights in North Terrace.

A spokeswoman for Wear Valley District Council, which contributed money towards the lights, said: "This is the first year we've had lights in Crook, and they look very nice.

"Next year, and in following years, we should be able to get more and more funding."