THOUSANDS turned out to see Coronation Street's Peter Barlow switch on the Banbury Christmas lights.
The soap star, who recently left the show, teamed up with Santa Claus to bring in the spirit of Christmas.
Barlow, whose real name is Chris Gascoyne, switched on the lights and started the firework display in the town centre.
Mr Gascoyne said: "It was great. I'm thrilled to be asked. I've been well looked after and it's a great turn out."
"It was a race between me and Santa to switch them on but I made sure I got there ahead of him".
Banbury Town Mayor Sean Woodcock said: "It's brilliant to see so many people here. We always have a great turn out and it's great we've kept it up this year."
"It's a curtain-raising event that really gets the people of Banbury into the Christmas spirit."
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