SNOW drifted over thousands of festive Bracknell residents and merry visitors as the Lexicon’s first Christmas lights were switched on on Saturday evening.

In scenes reminiscent of the big town opening in September, pomp and celebrity were ditched in favour of community and family.

Mitten clad toddlers and scarf wearing grandparents watched on in unison as the towering Forest Snow Queen waved her wand and cast the Princess Square tree alight, following a day in which elves and festive entertainers wandered the pavements.

As the crowded masses squeezed their way out of the shopping centre and onto the street, snow flakes began to fall.

Drummers then led the procession to the front of Waitrose, where the Snow Queen once again worked her magic and coaxed a second tree into a riot of colour.

Kim Hereneman, who came from Cardiff to visit her niece Jessica Anderson and to see the lights, said: “It was really worth the journey. My grandson has never seen snow so this is the first time.

"I think the new town centre is amazing. They have done a really good job.”

Crowds lingered across the centre as the Bracknell & Wokingham Community Band played a selection of seasonal songs before choir Vocalese serenaded those still weathering the cold and rain.

Nigel Brown, from Bracknell, said: “We have been to all of the other light switch-ons, including the last one.

“It’s totally different this year. That was upsetting because everything was disappearing, this is exciting because it is all here.”

Richard Kentish, there with wife Melanie and 18 month-old daughter Arabella, said: “It is outstanding. It is our first one but it won’t be our last."