A FESTIVE crowd packed out Poole’s Falkland Square this evening for the town’s annual Christmas lights switch-on.

Comedienne and actress Debra Stephenson threw the switch, after youngsters from schools had already set the yuletide mood by singing a selection of Christmas carols.

Debra was joined on stage by young Cameron, aged five, who receives regular treatment at Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

Before the countdown began Debra, who is a patron of Julia’s House, explained how proceeds from the Christmas lights switch-on would be going to the children’s hospice.

She told the hundreds gathered: “Julia’s House gives respite and palliative care to children with life-limiting illnesses. I think for everyone here who has children, this will strike a chord.”

Earlier, pupils from Broadstone Middle School, Hamworthy Park Junior School and Buckholme Towers School sang for the crowds.

Buckholme Towers School headmaster Iain Robertson said: “The choir was thrilled to be welcomed back to the Dolphin Shopping Centre and we were excited to be involved in their first-ever Christmas lights switch-on.

“The children enjoyed singing to the shoppers and especially enjoy seeing Santa arriving at his grotto.”

The manager of the shopping centre, John Grinnell, said: “Every year we enjoy welcoming the choirs and we know that the shoppers really enjoy hearing the children sing.”

Earlier in the day, children’s favourites, The Penguins of Madagascar, greeted fans ahead of the main event.

Tonight’s switch-on came less than a fortnight after the Daily Echo revealed the annual Santa Parade was being scrapped amid ‘safety concerns’, a move that sparked a 1,600-signature petition demanding its return.

Following this public support the Santa Parade has since been reinstated.

It is now scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 7.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for tourism, said: “The strength of feeling within the community following the cancellation of the Santa Parade really showed how important the event is to Poole’s residents.”

The Dolphin Centre Christmas lights switch-on event raised funds for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.