Big switch-on for Christmas lights in memory of Stephen Sutton

A town has been lit up in a sky-high tower of yellow lights, bows and thumbs in memory of inspirational Staffordshire teenager Stephen Sutton.

Our Tree For Stephen was organised by two fundraisers and hundreds of people braved the winter weather to see the annual light switch-on in Burntwood.

The tree, outside Burntwood Library on Sankey's Corner, was decorated with hundreds of yellow bows and thumbs, helping to raise more than £1,300 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, the charity Stephen raised money for before he died last May after losing his battle with cancer at the age of 19.

Organiser Joanne Jarvis said: "To see everyone gather together has made me very emotional and very proud."

• For more information on events and attractions in the region click here

Joint organiser Sharon Whitchurch added: "It's beautiful to see and there are still more bows to be added and more donations coming in."

The memorial tree launched last year and is to remember the teenager who helped to raise more than £3 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

As part of the lights switch-on on Saturday, children could visit Santa, enjoy a bouncy castle and there were carol singers providing live entertainment.

Charlotte Scott, aged 40, from Burntwood, went along with her daughter and said: "It's important for Stephen's memory and it's important to continue to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust."

The lights were switched on by Councillor Pamela Stokes and fundraiser Lee Woodward.