BOURNEMOUTH’S Christmas lights switch-on has been hailed a “massive disappointment” by frustrated parents.

Daily Echo readers say there were left waiting out in the cold not knowing what was going on during yesterday’s “disorganised” celebrations.

See all the pictures from the Bournemouth Christmas light switch-on in a gallery 

The event included two parades, which weaved through the town centre and met in the Gardens for the official Gardens of Light switch-on.

Commenting on the Daily Echo website, Omni314 said: “Everybody was packed in like sardines waiting for the light switch-on and once both parades arrived the crowd was expected to leave, but there was no indication as to where we were supposed to go.

“There had been no pathways marked out for the parades so they ended up squeezing through the crowds, meaning most of us didn't see a thing except for the odd parade member who got lost in the crowd.”

They added: “Security staff had no control and were not being heard over the noise and shoving of the crowd, and most of us (myself and my daughter included) got pushed and shoved and trapped in The Square unable to participate or even move.”

Kim Oldroyd said the whole event was a “shambles”.

She said: “People shoulder to shoulder squeezing through the park and the Square all going different directions not knowing where to go. Someone could have been trampled on easily. No one seemed to know what was going on.”

Commenting on the Daily Echo’s Facebook page, Claire Coleman said she waited for 45 minutes for her children to see the delayed parade.

Describing the evening as a “massive disappointment”, she added: “The event was a joke from start to finish.”

Yesterday evening, Lisa Tucker, chair of the Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), which organised the event, said: “The launch event was a new concept this year with a procession and a pyrotechnics and fire show.

“It’s great that so many people got behind it, celebrating the start of the festive season in Bournemouth. There are so many people to thank, especially those who took the time to join the procession.”

Responding to comments left on Bournemouth Beach Facebook page today, a spokesman from Bournemouth Tourism said: “Thanks for the feedback. We're taking on board your comments on this new event to improve in future years.”