THE CHRISTMAS lights switch-on had a touch of extra showbusiness magic this year as child singing sensation Charlie Green performed some popular festive classics to the crowds.

The 12-year-old star from Droitwich performed For Once in My Life and then Walking in A Winter Wonderland to the hundreds who gathered in the pouring rain outside Worcester Guildhall yesterday.

BBC Hereford & Worcester breakfast show presenter Howard Bentham asked Charlie how the Philippines, where his mother is from, compares to Worcester and he told the crowds: “Nothing compares to Worcester. Worcester is just the best.”

Charlie, who said he was recording a new CD in January, broke into a brief impromptu performance of Singing in the Rain before he switched on the lights with the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Andy Roberts.

Other entertainment included the Samba Santas ,who got everyone in the mood for dancing with an infectious drum beat and singer JJ who performed the Shakin’ Stevens classic Merry Christmas Everyone.

Coun Andy Roberts met children from Lyppard Grange Primary School who were shown around his parlour before the big switch-on which caused cheers and shouts to ring out through the High Street. He said: “It’s a cracking start to Christmas.

“I was knocked out by the local talent – JJ and Charlie Green, and I was impressed by the way the people of Worcester refused to let a bit of rain put them off having fun.”

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev David Ryan, also said a prayer before the lights were switched on. A lantern procession then went to the CrownGate Centre in Worcester for the switch on there where Charlie Green, who attends Bishop Perowne School in Worcester, sang more Christmas hits, including Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree which he performed twice and Let It Snow.

Ellesse Probert-Smith, aged four, of Tunnel Hill in Worcester, a pupil at the city’s Gorse Hill Primary School won the Worcester News and CrownGate competition to switch on the lights but hit the switch five seconds early before Howard Bentham had finished the count.

Her 26-year-old mum Lindsey Probert, who was there with partner Simon Smith, 40, said: “She has been so excited about it. She found out about it last Friday and she wanted to switch them on then.”

Following the CrownGate switch-on, Charlie Green performed a tribute to one of his musical idols, the late Michael Jackson, singing Ben.