PICTURES: X Factor winner Sam Bailey turns on West Bromwich Christmas lights

The chart-topper appeared in the town centre last night alongside Britain's Got Talent dance sensations, Signature, with both acts performing for the delighted audience.

Sam, who wore a festive jumper, sang her number one hit Skyscraper and tunes from her Christmas album, while Signature danced to a mash-up of Michael Jackson and traditional bhangra music.

"Merry Christmas, West Bromwich!" said Sam, who will appear in Chicago at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next summer and won X Factor in 2013. "It went really well and the sound was great.

"Everyone was so up for it and it was a great laugh.

"I had a great time here in West Bromwich and I'm looking forward to coming back to the Black Country next year when I perform at the Grand."

The event was organised by West Bromwich Business Improvement District. A huge stage was erected in High Street and there was a deafening cheer when Sam flicked the switch and the town filled with the bright colours of the festive lights.

Chairman Melvin Glasby said: "Christmas is such an important time for our town centre retailers.

"We wanted to attract as many visitors to West Bromwich as possible this year and will be showcasing the town in its best light, encouraging people from all over the West Midlands to see exactly how much the town has improved recently as a shopping and leisure destination."

Co-organsier Lisa Hill added: "This is the biggest event we've ever done and it all went brilliantly. It was so well received by the crowd and I just hope we've done West Brom proud."

The lights switch-on also kick-started Thursday late night shopping in the town.

Steve Burr, deputy chair of the BID, told people to keep an eye for entertainment in West Bromwich throughout December.

He said: "West Bromwich town centre is certainly the place to be for Christmas 2015."

Chris Baggott, 55, Shorrell Baggott, 37, and David Ray, all of Spon Lane, West Bromwich, said they enjoyed the big switch-on.

Shorwell, a cake shop assistant, brought two of her three children, aged six months and nine.

She said: "I thought it was really nice and it's great for West Brom to get something like this.

"It felt like just the right time for the start of Christmas and it was all my nine-year-old was talking about all day.

"He really wanted to see Sam perform and we were able to just walk down from our house."s.