ELY Standard competition winners Bernadette Crane and Byron Patterson switched on the city s Christmas lights on Friday as hundreds packed Market Place. Byron and Bernadette, both seven, drew pictures to show what Christmas meant to them, earning them th

ELY Standard competition winners Bernadette Crane and Byron Patterson switched on the city's Christmas lights on Friday as hundreds packed Market Place.

Byron and Bernadette, both seven, drew pictures to show what Christmas meant to them, earning them the chance to throw the switch with Ely mayor John Ison.

Before the grand switch-on, hundreds enjoyed entertainment, provided by Ely Imps, Chequer Studios and Star FM.

The Ely Perspective organised the event, and its chairman Philip Eden said the switch-on had exceeded all expectations.

“We were over the moon about the way the whole event became an entire evening - people stayed before and after the lights were switched on and enjoyed the entertainments.

“There was something for everybody - it went really well and the lights look a real picture.”

City Sightseeing provided open-top bus rides of the newly-illuminated town centre, and all the firm’s drivers gave their time for free.

Mr Eden said the success of the evening was made possible because of the hard work put in by individuals and organisations from across Ely, including The Rotary Club of Ely Hereward, Ely Lion, Archer and Archer Solicitors, East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Ely Traders' Association.

Plans are already under way for next year’s event. Cllr Ison said: “It’s one of those things that never stops, as soon as the lights go on, preparations begin for next year’s event.”