GALLERY: City centre packed as Wolverhampton Christmas lights turned on

The lights were officially turned on at 5pm on Saturday, with Su Pollard, Dicky Dodd and the Mayor of Wolverhampton in charge of the honours in Queen Square.

Su, who is starring as Queen Rat in the Dick Whittington pantomime at the Grand Theatre, said: said: "It's so lovely to see so many people here in the Christmas spirit.

"It brings communities together. And Christmas shopping can be a bit tedious but this makes it better.

"I really like Wolverhampton, the people are very warm and welcoming just the same as the first time I came here in 1974."

Mayor Claire Darke added: "The event is fabulous as it brings everyone together in Wolverhampton to watch the Christmas lights being switched on.

"It's a great event and a great celebration of the pantomime.

"It's a great start for the Christmas shopping season with the market and shops being open late too."

The day started with a free screening of film The Polar Express on the stage in Queen Square, a funfair and festive market in Dudley Street.

Father Christmas was in his Mander Centre grotto and families were queueing up to meet real reindeer on the city streets.

And Tettenhall Rotary's new Santa sleigh was by the funfair for children to pose for pictures.

Signal 107 DJ Dicky Dodd said he was proud to be hosting the switch-on.

He said: "We've been lucky with the weather but it's always a great turn out here.

"People have come to support the community and enjoy Wolverhampton again.

"It's a great family event and this is when Christmas starts in Wolverhampton.

"I'm proud to be hosting it because I'm born and bred Wolverhampton, so it's a real privilege for me."

Meanwhile parents Mike and Sally Richardson were watching sons Jacob, seven, and Harry, five, enjoy one of the fair rides.

Sally, a clerical assistant from the city, said: "It's the first time we've been to the switch-on, but the boys are loving all the rides.

"They liked seeing the reindeer too, it's made them very excited for Christmas."

And Wendy Reynolds, from Wednesfield, was with her mother Rita Aldridge and two children Georgina and Alice.

She said: "We go to lots of the light switch-on events, we've been shopping too.

"The children aren't keen on shopping but they can go on the rides afterwards."