THE festive season officially got under way in Chester-le-Street with the switching on of the lights on the town’s Christmas tree.
Town crier Marjorie Dodds and local school children flicked the switch at 4.30pm today (Thursday, December 5) at the town’s Market Place.
The switch-on event, organised by the Chester-le-Street Area Action Partnership, also featured entertainment by street entertainers including stilt walkers.
And there was a short carol service featuring the voices of the pupils.
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