HUNDREDS of people turned out as the Christmas lights in Hexham were switched on by Santa.

In the annual festive event, families headed to the bandstand to listen to Hexham Middle School's brass band pay Christmas tunes before St Nick pressed the button to turn the lights on.

People then headed over to the Christmas tree donated by Egger as its lights were officially turned on too.

Following the festivities, people packed out Hexham Abbey to hear its choristers sing Christmas hymns.