The annual Christmas lights switch-on at a North-East charity went ahead as planned.

Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care took place with special guests, centenarian and Far East prisoner of war, Len Gibson, and Ann Dawson, the widow of the late Stan Dawson who delivered the huge Christmas Tree each year to the charity.

In previous years, local schoolchildren would sing carols to the sounds of Bede Wind Orchestra, but as we enter another lockdown with more social restrictions, it was the charity’s volunteers and staff gave a warming cheer at 5pm.

Cars and vans passing Daft as a Brush House in Gosforth sounded their horns in appreciation of the charity’s efforts to brighten their journey home.

Each year the charity transports 60,000 cancer patients to and from hospital who are undergoing chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy, each light represents a single cancer patient journey.

Daft as a Brush founder, Brian Burnie, is thrilled with the 2020 light show.

He said: “The team have really pulled out all the stops to make this happen.

"With another lockdown announced we brought forward the switch-on so more commuters and residents could enjoy the occasion.

"It’s wonderful to see people smile and wave from their vehicles and public transport.

"A few residents were passing and to see the smiles on their faces was fantastic.”

Mr Burnie's past few years have been occupied with a 7,000 mile fund-raising walk around the UK coastline.