Crowds gather for Oldbury lights switch-on - with PICTURES

It's finally Christmas time! Lights have been switched on in Oldbury to mark the festive season.

Michael Murphy with five-year-old Lacey Murphy

Crowds of people and families flocked into the town centre to mark the Christmas lights switch-on for the town.

Councillor Susan Downing, who represents the town, said it had a "fantastic atmosphere" – and praised businesses and the council for making it happen.

She said: "It was well attended and the whole atmosphere was fantastic.

"We had some lovely stalls where people could buy Christmas gifts and the children seemed to enjoy it.

Eleven-year-old Sadie Cadwallader, from Tividale Community Primary School, and 10-year-old Evie-Lea Jeavons from Christ Church Primary School turn on the lights in Oldbury

Joanne Downing from the Woodland Magic stall

Six-month-old Kyron Maxfield and Nikki McGrath from Oldbury

Six-year-old Dilraaj Dhesi from Oldbury..

Bethel Church in Oldbury with a real life nativity with Lydia Awuyah, Valerie DiFranco, Danny Reynolds, Max Tolley, Lindsay Sedge, Simon Gayle and Mark Robertson

Turan Atas at the Oldbury lights switch-on

Santa and elves with nine-year-old Bobby Clarke and eight-year-old Dontae Hemmings, from Oldbury

CEO of Krunch, Jon Grant, and Dave Brownhill from Black Country Radio

Youngsters enjoyed the Christmas lights switch-on

Crowds of people flocked for the switch-on

Eleven-year-old Sadie Cadwallader, from Tividale Community Primary School, and 10-year-old Evie-Lea Jeavons from Christ Church Primary School

Andrew Harrison and Alison Fogarty-Harris

"We improved on the number of stalls we had last year and it went down really well.

"There was fire breathers, stilt walkers and a fair for the children.

"There was stalls where people could get something to eat and we had Santa's Grotto as well."

The event was put together by charity Krunch UK which works with youngsters across Sandwell.

Fire eaters, live music, a living nativity scene by Bethel Church, market stalls, and Santa's Grotto were all on show.

Councillor Downing said the lights looked "really lovely" along with the tree during the switch-on which took place on Friday.

She said: "There was a lovely nativity put on by one of our local churches and even real sheep as well.

"There was a great queue for Santa who came down and there was Christmas decorations and sweets.

"The lights looked lovely, really nice and the tree is a lovely size and the lights – we had no problems with them, they switched on first time which you can't always guarantee.

"The company are doing a lovely job."