Last updated at 13:31, Monday, 17 November 2008

Singers Andrew Johnston and Roy Wizzard lit up the streets of Carlisle and Whitehaven at their big Christmas lights switch-ons.

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This time last year Britain's Got Talent star Andrew Johnston was standing in the crowd watching the lights event.

But last night it was his turn in the limelight as he flicked the switch to light up Carlisle for the festive season.

Andrew was joined on stage by Mayor of Carlisle, Councillor Jacquelyne Geddes who urged everyone to "be generous" this Christmas.

Before lighting up the city at 5.30pm, Andrew demonstrated his singing talent with a rendition of Abba's I Have A Dream.

The Carlisle Cathedral chorister said: "It has been an incredible year for me. I can't quite believe that I am switching on Carlisle's lights.

t's great to be back in my home city and I would like to thank everyone for the support they gave me during the competition. It means a lot.

"Carlisle is a city which we should all be very proud of - thank you for making Carlisle the capital of Christmas."

Andrew, a former pupil at the city’s Trinity School, came third in the ITV1 talent show singing Pie Jesu. He has since released an album which got into top ten in the UK album charts.

The News & Star's promotions manager David McNeill and DJ Robbie Dee from CFM Radio got the crowd in the mood prior to the switch on by introducing tribute bands Swede Dreamz (Abba) and Men in Black (Blues Brothers) - complete with a dancing duck!

Carlisle has gone green this Christmas with each of the 2,400 bulbs being replaced with low energy LED lights courtesy of Sky Movies.

Carlisle City Council leader Mike Mitchelson, said: “Having the support of Sky Movies this year is really exciting for the city and the Christmas experience we are offering.

“Their support will ensure that our lighting scheme is not only one of the most sparkling but will also be greener and better for the environment.”

The centrepiece of the city’s display this year is a 10 metre-tall tree, with other illuminations around the Citadel.

Prior to the lights switch on - organised by the News & Star and Carlisle City Council - a special tenth anniversary Light Up A Life service was held in the city centre.

The event is organised by the News & Star and the Eden Valley Hospice to remember those we have loved and lost over the festive season.

The idea is that people buy a light in memory of someone they have lost and that light shines brightly on a tree in the centre of Carlisle over the festive season.

Meanwhile, glam-rock legend Roy Wood lit up Whitehaven in front of a packed Lowther Street crowd.

"I hope everyone else's kettles don't go off when I flick this switch," said Wizzard star Wood, famous for the 1973 festive classic I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

It was an all too brief appearance from Wood however - he was on stage for less than 30 seconds - before he and his band set off for the Civic Hall to treat a sell-out audience to some of his biggest hits, with support coming from Guy Lancaster.

But there was plenty to keep the crowd entertained in the build-up to Wood's cameo.

Lowther Street and King Street were full of stalls and attractions, with many shops opening especially for the occasion.

On the busy stage, DJs hosted an afternoon of fun, games and competitions, while dance troupes including Cheer Stars, Stage Stars and Pop Steps performed to a host of festive favourites.

And two of Whitehaven's finest musicians, Steph Wars and Andy Winters, treated the crowd to an acoustic set, taken from the charity CD Now That's What I Call Whitehaven.

First published at 08:42, Monday, 17 November 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk