OXFORDSHIRE residents’ eyes lit up as their Christmas lights were switched on for the festive season.

Alvescot Road, Carterton, was filled with stalls for the event on Friday and residents enjoyed a fun fair in the town library’s car park and music from the Oxfordshire Caledonian Pipe Band.

Carterton mayor Norman MacRae said: “The weather was cold but there was a warm atmosphere.

“It was absolutely wonderful and a lovely example of people coming out, despite freezing cold weather, and having a lovely party.

“I have a lasting memory after the pipe band finished of a handful of young girls dancing and jigging down the road behind them.”

The lights were switched on by Mike Bulley, chairman of the Carterton branch of the Royal British Legion and the town’s official mace bearer.

Sarah Pittaway, 27, was at the event with her two children Milly, nine, and David, five.

She said: “It was a very nice evening.

“They best thing probably was the atmosphere, with everyone getting ready for Christmas, but the children enjoyed the fun fair the most.”

Wantage held a Dickensian-themed switch-on, also on Friday.

The town centre was closed to traffic to make way for Santa, his reindeer and donkeys.

There were also charity stalls, a treasure hunt and a pig roast.

Councillors, stall holders and even the police dressed up in period costumes.

Mayor Jim Sibbald, who spent the evening dressed as a Dickensian mayor, said: “I thought the event went spectacularly.

“We had an excellent turnout and a strong bustle in the streets.”

The lights were switched on by Heart Radio presenter Lucy Ellis.