IT'S certainly been a year like no other - but that hasn't stopped the towns of the Tyne Valley from putting up Christmas lights as usual.

The festive displays have been switched on in Hexham, Haltwhistle and Prudhoe now, and it has helped bring some much-needed Christmas cheer to everyone.

In Hexham, the Christmas lights were switched on by Tobias Zinnerman of Egger - but sadly, no members of the public could be present.

Mayor of Hexham Bob Hull spoke as the lights were switched on, with his speech streamed by Hexham TV.

Coun. Hull said: "On behalf of the town council I’d like to thank Egger for once again giving the town such a magnificent Christmas tree.

"We come to this low key switch on in strange circumstances.

"Let us hope that by this time next year we'll be back to some kind of normal.

"On behalf of the town council, I want to wish everyone in Hexham the best possible Christmas despite all the difficult circumstances."

Prudhoe Town Council also created a video of the Christmas Lights switch-on, which will be shared this month.

A statement from the town council read: "The event has always been superbly supported with a joyous crowd of residents.

"As with many things at the moment there is much disappointment, but also an opportunity to do things differently – to bring the sparkle in a slightly different way."

In Haltwhistle, the lights went up early, while shops in the town have also pulled out the stops to create festive window decorations.