SINGING sensation Shola Ama was among the celebrities to attend the switch-on of Bournemouth Christmas lights 20 years ago – before performing for the crowd in the Square.

The event, held on November 24, 2002, also saw a musical procession marching from the Pavilion through town, with entertainment from dance troupes and music provided by the Spiderman marching band.

Stars of the Cinderella pantomime, which was at the Pavilion, joined the procession on a celebrity bus, and Santa followed in a fire engine.

Bournemouth Echo: Singers Shola Ama, Ginja, panto stars Ruth Madoc, Chris Jarvis, Maria Rice-Munday, drag queen Ruby, Wave presenter Steve Power and Bournemouth Mayor cllr David Baldwin officially switch on Bournemouth's Christmas Lights.....

There was also a carnival float and queen and local drag queen Ruby took part in the procession in style in a convertible.

Wave FM sponsored the switch-on and band Ginja performed their single Del Boy’s Song.