A festive spirit filled the air as hundreds of Pudsey folk lined the streets of the town and filled its market place to capacity with spectators on Friday for the Christmas Lights switch-on and celebrations.  The weather was cold but fine as local entertainers Geoff and Stuart Beaumont donned 'ugly sisters' make-up and panto dress to entertain on the market place stage with their comic brand of music and song to create a big party mood.   Jon Hammond from BBC Radio Leeds then kept the spirit alive with a lively audience participation spot, thoroughly enjoyed by the many children who wanted a share of the presents he brought along for the loudest shouters;  and then a brief aerobic work-out by Leisure Centre staff encouraged everyone to join in with arm waving, body twisting, and feet stamping. Just the thing to get warm, before Elisa Hilton took the stage for a funny five minutes and the introduction of Chris Chittell, alias Eric Pollard of ITV's Emmerdale.   He received his fair share of boos and hisses as the 'baddie' of the evening, a role he excels in, before welcoming the arrival of the festive parade to the market place.  The parade had Police horses, a scout band, Miss Britannia and her attendants, lady Morris Dancers, majorettes, a fire engine, and of course, everyone's favourite, none other than Father Christmas himself.
	A special mention goes to members of Pudsey's Gateway Club, making there debut in the celebrations, and to primary school children Sophie Marshall, Adam Sharp, and Louise Newton who all won prizes in this year's poster competition.
	Councillor Mick Coulson made the presentations, and then, the count-down from 10 to big switch-on by Chris Chittell, followed immediately by the most spectacular giant fireworks display Pudsey had seen for a long time.
Pudsey's Christmas Lights have been well and truly switched on as part of a memorable evening's fun and festivity for all.....