Wolverhampton kicks off festive season in style

A record 12,000-strong crowd packed Wolverhampton city centre as 5,000 fireworks launched the festive season in spectacular style.

The glittering 10-minute display from the roof of Beatties signalled the switch-on of the Christmas lights and was greeted with cheers of delight as its dramatic finale lit up Queen Square.

Carol Baker, aged 39, from Goodyear Avenue, Low Hill who watched the show with partner Andy Cox, 36, declared afterwards: "That was brilliant."

Her partner added: "It is the best we have been to in the city."

Christopher Biggins, who is starring in Aladdin at the Grand Theatre, flew in from Edinburgh to help Santa switch on the lights watched by children's favourite Peppa Pig and the city's mayor Council Malcolm Gwinnett.

Father Christmas had arrived accompanied by a reindeer and children from the Punch theatre Company.

Sarah Morgan, 28, of Guest Avenue, Long Knowle,who was there with daughters Courtney, aged six, and six-month old baby Maisie, said: "It was marvellous for the kids."

Michelle Pearson, 24, from Old Fallings Crescent, Fallings Park who brought five-month old daughter Summer, nieces Jaida, three, Aliyah, four and sister Kirsty aged 15, added:"We had a wonderful time."

Customer services manager David Elkington, 30, from Booth Street, Darlaston, wife Sharon, 29, and 49-year-old mother Mandy from Dyson Close, Bentley, watched his two-year-old son take a reindeer ride in Queen Square and said: "It was excellent."

The record turnout justified the decision to return the annual switch on to Queen Square in the heart of the city for the first time in eight years.

Mark Blackstock, Civic Halls and Wolverhampton outdoor events manager, said: "We wanted to accommodate more people and were rewarded with our biggest crowd ever — 4,000 more than ever before.

"The weather was perfect and we had great feedback from the public and city centre traders."

Seventy-five staff were on duty helping with crowd control and other tasks and part of Lichfield Street was closed to traffic.

Wolverhampton mayor Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett said today: "Plans are already being drawn up to make it even bigger and better next year."