WET weather failed to dampen the festive spirit on Saturday as hundreds turned out for Windsor's Christmas lights switch-on.

The Lantern Procession in the Royal Shopping Centre was given a shorter route to compensate for the rainy conditions, as girls from Upton House School, in St Leonard's Road, held swan lanterns aloft and sang carols whilst led by the Egham brass band. 

Meanwhile, near the Queen Victoria statue, a stage saw performances from Windsor's School of the Arts (SOTA), Windsor Boys' School band and choir, Pop Goes the Choir and the Royal Free Singers.

Paul Roach, town centre manager and member of the Windsor, Ascot and Eton Town Partnership, said: "It was a damp start and damp all day.

"We still got the turnout, everybody came out.

"We had great support from the musical performers. They believe in the event and we wanted people to come out and enjoy it."

The switch-on happened at 5.30pm when legendary Radio DJ, Mike Read, pushed the button to light up the tree and the town centre alongside mayor Cllr John Lenton and mayoress, Margaret Lenton.

The Christmas tree, donated by the Queen this year, again features the hand blown baubles and candle lights presented to Windsor by the German town of Coburg last year during Her Majesty's 90th birthday celebrations.

For a full report and more pictures buy this Friday's Observer newspaper - for only 60p in all good newsagents.