CHRISTMAS time came to Cowdenbeath on Friday when leading tribute band Little Fix aided by the town's gala queen Casey Galloway with princess Jamiee Stein, switched on the festive lights.

After concerns about heavy showers affecting the event the weather behaved well as the new look Green Square housed the switch-on.

DJ Colin Baird entertained the growing crowd as they waited for the arrival of Little Fix, the UK's leading tribute band to Little Mix, and they played for about an hour while the crowd, number more than 600 people, waited patiently for Santa's arrival.

The man in red arrived just in time to see the big switch-on which also featured Mickey and Mini Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy!

There was further music contributed by members of Kingdom Brass Band.

Santa proved very popular with the kids as he arrived with his sleigh and reindeer.

It was a great night for young and old and Cowdenbeath Civic Week, who organised the event, were delighted with the turn out from the public.

Said the committee's Alex Haddow: "we have to say a big thank you to the people of the town for backing us in this big night of the Christmas calendar in the town.

"The business community were also excellent with the way they decorated their shops for the switch-on and we will be having an online voting mechanism to allow the people of the town choose the winner of the 'best shop window' title which will be presented at the Christmas concert on the December 16.

"We would also like to thank Bedlam for their help, and David Blackburn from Apollo Events for the staging and sound system and Colin for his music."

But Alex also aired hopes of more people coming forward to help out with ensuring the Christmas lights events continue in the town for years to come.

He said: "The Gala Committee members have been superb in their efforts to ensure the money was raised, around £10,000, to make sure that this happened again this year but we could do with a few more people to come forward to help us."