For years, thousands of people have gathered in Abingdon market place for the town’s Christmas extravaganza but last year the pandemic affected switch-ons across the county.

Here we look back at photos of the fun in 2016 when pop stars S Club 7 paid a visit.

That year, former band member Bradley McIntosh was joined on stage by old bandmates Tina Barrett and Jo O'Meara for a string of performances before they counted down the big switch-on at 6pm.

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He told the Oxford Mail afterwards: "It's a beautiful place and the Christmas lights are awesome. The fireworks were outstanding, I almost wet my knickers.

Oxford Mail:

"It's been fun. We are lucky to have songs that people want to sing along to. It was a pleasure, I have known the girls (Tina and Jo) for 20 years."

Families crowded in Market Place as the trio sang some of their most popular chart toppers including Reach for the Stars and Bring it all Back, before the town centre lit up with fairy lights and a firework display.

Oxford Mail:

In 2016, Father Christmas was another famous face at the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce event, who greeted children on the Abingdon Lions Club sleigh.

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The charity staged a parade leading the tinsel-adorned sleigh into the square at midday and collected donations for clubs and other causes in the town.

Lions Club members officer Lesley Donovan said at the time: "It's been quite amazing, it's been like a holiday camp atmosphere.

"It's nice to get people together and it's lovely the way that people have just congregated."

Oxford Mail:

John Prior, who towed the sleigh, said: "We have had people queuing up all the time; it's nice for the kids to see Santa."

The all-day event also featured a giant snow globe in Market Place and Christmas craft and charity stalls set up in Bath Street.

Oxford Mail:

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Peachcroft resident Lorraine Heather, who attended the Christmas extravaganza with her daughter and two grandsons, said she thought it was 'absolutely brilliant'.