A WORCESTER schoolgirl was walking in the air after she was chosen to switch on the Christmas lights.

Sarah Brooks, aged nine, of Cherry Orchard Primary School, met the Snowman and switched on the CrownGate Shopping Centre lights at about 6pm yesterday.

Her mum Sharon, of Battenhall, Worcester, said: “She has been really excited about it. The whole class was with her and they enjoyed tea in the shopping centre’s cafe.”

Worcester people got two Christmas lights switch-ons, the first outside the Guildhall in the High Street at about 5.40pm and the second at the CrownGate Shopping Centre.

The Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Lucy Hodgson, and three pupils from St Clement’s Primary School in St John’s, Worcester, switched on the High Street lights.

The pupils were Liam Coombes, aged five, Jessica Jenkins, 10, and Ellie Jones, five, and their headteacher Kate Brunt said they had been selected because they were so well behaved.

Twenty-five classmates were also chosen to attend who had also been well-behaved at school.

She added: “They have been excited about it – there has been such a big build up to it.”

Coun Hodgson said: “I’m very impressed with the turnout – it’s lovely to see so many people here.”

The build-up included Music from Stone the Crows to accompany the mayor’s procession at 5.20pm before the mayor’s chaplain Rev David Ryan led a prayer for the start of the Christmas season.

The main lights switch-on was organised by Visit Worcester which is responsible for events, tourism and city centre management.

The evening also marked the first of the late shopping nights until 8pm.