MORE than 500 people braved the cold to watch their town centre light up for the festive season.

Mayor of Wallingford Bernard Stone switched on the Christmas lights in the town’s Market Place, in the hope of attracting a rush of seasonal shoppers.

And despite fears that traders would shun Thursday evening’s event, many shops and businesses stayed open late to celebrate.

Mr Stone said there were some new lights this year installed by the Wallingford Partnership, a voluntary organisation aiming to improve facilities in the town.

He added: “Lots of people came out on a very cold evening and it was a splendid night.

“The lights looked excellent and there were charity stalls in the Regal Centre, meals and refreshments in the Methodist Hall, and hot dogs and beefburgers in the Market Place provided by local butcher Gary Smith.

“Shops in the market place and surrounding side streets stayed open late and the Rotary Club of Wallingford staged a best-dressed window competition.

“We are very fortunate that we have lots of restaurants and cafés in the centre of Wallingford now, and the Corn Exchange and the Old Post Office were heaving.

“Hopefully this will kick-start Christmas shopping.”

Last month Wallingford in Business, which represents retailers in the town, said some traders were not going to stay open late because, in the past, not enough people had spent money in their shops.

But town clerk Andrew Rogers said up to 20 shops opened in and around the Market Place. He said: “Some of the traders who weren’t going to open changed their minds.”

The new lights cost about £25,000, with the money coming from a £200,000 town centre improvement grant provided earlier by the South East England Development Agency and South Oxfordshire District Council.”

He added: “After the switch-on, I scuttled off to the Partridge Inn in St Mary’s Street where I had an excellent meal.”

Linda Blake, assistant manager at the Old Post Office in St Martin’s Street, said: “It could have been one of our busiest Thursdays yet and it is lovely to see the town all lit up.”

Entertainment included Cholsey Silver Band and a Punch and Judy show.