CHERRIES captain Tommy Elphick helped kick-off the festive season as he switched on Boscombe’s Christmas lights. 

The suburb’s high street was packed with hundreds of people for the much-anticipated annual occasion, organised by Clare Belmont and sponsored by the Coastal Business Improvement District.

In an evening featuring an array of family entertainment on Christchurch Road, AFC Bournemouth skipper Tommy was joined by club legend Steve Fletcher for the event.

The pair, both wearing pink kits in support of Breast Cancer Care, were accompanied on stage by mascot Cherry Bear and the mayor, Cllr John Adams.

The loudest applause of the evening, however, was reserved for former Marine and war hero Elliott Lewis, who teamed up with the football stars to countdown from 10 for the big switch-on.

The crowd was told the veteran had spent three Christmases fighting in Afghanistan before an IED blast resulted in him losing a leg - but that this year he would spend the festive season surrounded by family back home in Bournemouth.

Cllr Adams said it was “great to have a hero here” to help them launch Boscombe’s official Christmas lights switch on, the first in the town this year.

There were then cheers as the decorations lining the road lit up.

Earlier on Thursday evening, there had been street circus performances and carols with the Verwood Concert Brass and Bournemouth Churches Together.

Ward councillor Phil Stanley-Watts said: “It is always brilliant in Boscombe and this really brings the whole community together.

“It also attracts a lot of people from outside of the area to see our impressive lights and Christmas decorations.

“It is a great place for visitors and this is something we are keen to encourage - and having a great event like this really helps.”

The switch-on was part of the Boscombe Community Countdown to Christmas Event, which includes four weekends of activity for Boscombe.