Rochdale Christmas lights switch on

The Mayor of Rochdale, Surinder Biant, Mayoress Cecile Biant and Father Christmas turn the Rochdale Christmas lights on

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Rochdale officially started the countdown to Christmas on Saturday evening as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Surinder Biant, Mayoress Cecile Biant and Father Christmas were given a helping hand by Rochdale Hornets to turn the lights on.

Before the big switch on, local acts kept those in attendance entertained.

X Factor star Danny Dearden, up and coming singer Gem O’Reilly and singer Katie O’Malley kept the crowds in high spriits performing a mixture of original songs and Christmas classics.

Wardle Community Band, students from Hopwood Hall College and Turner’s School of Dance also took to the stage.

Singer Gem O’Reilly said: “It was really good. The crowd were great and were really lively and seemed to enjoy it. I was really pleased to be asked to be involved. This is what Christmas is about and I always like doing things that are Christmas and music based.”

Following the big switch on, a huge firework display lit up the skies above Rochdale.