Watch: Panto stars and delighted families at Wolverhampton Christmas lights switch on show

Here are a selection of 27 pictures taken by the Express & Star at the Wolverhampton Christmas lights event which is among the biggest as the Black Country celebrated the switch on weekend. Among the entertainers were Grand Theatre Sleeping Beauty panto stars Ian Adams and Tam Ryan who helped to switch on the festive lights along with Father Christmas and Wolverhampton Mayor Councillor  Craig Collingswood in Queen's Square. 

Other shows on Saturday included at Wednesbury, West Bromwich, Stourbridge and Stafford.

Attractions at the Wolverhampton city centre affair included Harry Jones funfair, a ferris wheel, a giant snow globe, face painting, food and drink, children’s Disney character Stich of Lilo & Stich fame and performances by Bilston Operatic Company and jazz singer Andrew Bourn.

Show host Dicky Dodd was on hand to launch the countdown for the lights to go up at 6pm as the excitement built up.