CROWDS braved the cold winter conditions to head along to Colquhoun Square last Friday to see the town lit up for the festive period.

All the planning and work of the Helensburgh Festive Lights Charitable Trust paid off and, despite some confusion on the timing of the lights switch-on and a slight change in proceedings due to the removal of the parade, Santa was given a very warm welcome.

Santa met youngsters from Jigsaw Cornerstone before making his way to the square in a carriage led by two horses and characters from this year's pantomime Alice in Pantoland.

The HMS Neptune Volunteer Band welcomed them to the stage where local youngster Kayleigh Ballantyne was tasked with switching on the lights.

The crowds joined in with the countdown as Kayleigh and Santa lit up the town.

A spokeswoman for the trust, which is comprised of six volunteers, said: “We hope that over the next six weeks the lights give a great boost to local businesses and a real feel good factor to residents and visitors alike.

"We are very grateful for all the support we receive from the business community, particularly the staff of the Terrace Café who provide generous hospitality for the electricians and contractors when they are working on the lights.

“Thank you to everyone who turned out on Friday. We wish everyone a very happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you all this weekend in the square.”

Elsewhere, members the community in Arrochar came together to get the festive period up and running with their lights switch-on on November 20.

Derek Butler, Ian Butler and Jacqueline Flaws turned on the Christmas lights in the circus area assisted by the local community.

The lights which can be seen all round the village were switched on on Monday, November 20 at 4pm.

Thanks are extended to Lyndis Davidson, Owen Croskell, John Stevenson, John Armstrong, and Campbell Lawffer of Argyll and Bute Council for facilitating the switch on of Christmas lights at Succoth in Arrochar, by members of the community.