Hundreds turned out last night to watch Falmouth fundraiser and volunteer Tom Clements push the plunger to switch on the town's Christmas lights.

Tom, 23, who began raising money for Cancer Research after he lost his mum, Maria, to breast cancer, led the lantern parade through the town centre before taking to the stage on The Moor to carry out the honour of illuminating the town.

The parade had set off from Events' Square and saw Santa taking to a motorcycle sidecar to make the journey through the town centre. He was followed by children from the town's primary schools with their lanterns, representatives of the town council, members of various community groups and organisations, as well as the cast of Miracle Theatre's Cinderella, which is being staged at the Princess Pavilion this month.

On The Moor, children were treated to sweets and drinks, courtesy of Tesco; there was music from the Salvation Army Band and pupils from the town's school also took to the stage to perform Christmas songs.

Inside the library for the first time this year, Santa had set up a grotto which was manned by one of his little elf helpers, until the man himself could drop in after the parade.

As the clock reached 7pm, the crowd of several hundred people joined in the ten second countdown and then it was over to Tom to turn on the lights, which stretch from Killigrew Street down to Events' Square.

It was also the first of the town's late night shopping evenings, which continue each Thursday until December 22, with shops open until 8pm.

Other attractions to look out for over the next week include the Outlaw Christmas Market on The Moor from Thursday until Saturday, December 8-10; Cornwall Hospice Care's Santa Fun Run on Saturday (Dec 10); Churches Together's Live Nativity on Sunday, (Dec 11); Tanya Courage Trust's Christmas Fayre on The Moor on Monday, December 12, Christmas Movies on The Moor on Tuesday and Wednesday (Dec 13-14) and Frozen in Falmouth between 5.30pm and 8.30pm on Thursday the 15th.

For full details of Falmouth's festive fun go to falmouth.co.uk.