STOURPORT'S Christmas lights are being hailed as one of the best festive displays in the Midlands following a bumper turn-out at the switching-on ceremony on Friday.

More than 5,000 people witnessed the spectacle - more than any previous year - in spite of the cold and fog.

For the first time this included lights in Villeneuve-le-Roi Gardens which were awash with colour in a scene reminiscent of the successful Walsall illuminations.

Peter Roberts, the Stourport event organiser and chairman of Bridge Street Traders' Association, said: "Stourport's lights are becoming huge. We are drawing people into the town just to see them. We had lights costing in excess of £60,000 this year. It is just getting bigger and bigger each year.

"Watch out Walsall, here we come!"

He said five years ago only about £500 was being raised annually for the town's lights.

He added: "Now it is a major success story. This is all due to local charities and businesses putting their hands in their pockets and having a go."

He pointed out the progress was down to the innovative sponsorship scheme where companies make a one-off payment to buy a light with the running costs then handled by the town council.

Friday night's festivities included a parade which passed down Bridge Street and High Street at the same time as the lights burst into life, dispelling the foggy gloom.

The lights were turned on in Villeneuve-le-roi Gardens.