The streets of Penryn glowed brighter than ever before on Saturday evening as the new Christmas lights were illuminated for the first time.

Porthleven Town Band led a parade including local children with handmade lanterns and town councillors from the Memorial Garden to the Methodist Hall where the mayor, Mark Snowdon, addressed large crowd of young and old residents.

He thanked the team of 15 volunteers, including "Mr Christmas Lights" Michael Moore, who had helped to make up 900 metres of new lights and create new features to spread throughout the town, as well as installing and decorating 27 Christmas trees from West Street to Broad Street.

He then handed over to Lorna Smuda, the mayor's warden and a former Penryn mayor, who switched on the lights with a press of a button, before a second button revealed a special surprise and the town clock was illuminated from within in shifting colours.

Following the ceremony the children of Penryn Primary led Christmas singing, and visitors were invited for mulled wine and mince pies in the Town Hall as the Suitcase Singers performed carols - including a guest appearance by Mr Snowdon - and in the Temperance Hall the town's children were invited to a free screening of Miracle on 34th Street.

Meanwhile various choirs, including three from the Penryn Campus, were roaming the streets and performing in the pubs in return for a drink, there was late night opening in the shops and galleries including the Christmas Pop Up, and dancing in the street to a jazz band outside the Thirsty Scholar.

There were also a number of fairs and bazaars, in the Temperance Hall during the day and the Highway Church and St Gluvias Hall in the evening.

The new lights took over two and a half months to install, and were paid for through donations from businesses and individuals, including a Crowdfunder appeal, with the £8020.51 raised in total.

The mayor said: “We knew this year was going to be challenging as nearly all the lines needed replacing and the lighting team worked tremendously hard to get them up in time. The response to this cause from the community has been truly overwhelming. We needed every penny to make this happen and I hope that everyone enjoys them knowing that it really was a community effort.”

On Sunday evening the Methodist Chapel filled out again as the mayor hosted a civic carol concert, where he performed a solo during the Latin carol Gaudete, which raised £551.85 to go towards the Penryn Memory Cafe and the Penryn Methodist Church.