CHRISTMAS cheer has been spread by a little girl badly hurt in an accident earlier this year.

Ten-year-old Abbie Keers flicked the switch on an impressive light display in Stanley this evening.

Displays, like those seen at the popular Lumiere light show in Durham City, are being used to herald the start of the festive season on Front Street.

Abbie, who needed emergency surgery after a suffering cuts to the face when a bottle thrown at the car she was travelling in, did the honours with Stanley Town Council chairman, Alex Clegg.

The fashion conscious East Stanley Primary School pupil, who is hoping to get clothes for Christmas, said: “I was so excited when I was asked to turn on the Christmas lights. I have been really looking forward to it.

“I would like to wish everyone in Stanley a Merry Christmas.”

The keen gymnast, who competed the day after her horrific injuries in February, trains at Northern Hope Gymnastics Club in Birtley, but is currently taking a break after injuring her wrist.

The event, billed, as Stanley’s Christmas Lumiere, started at the Civic Hall at the top of Front Street at 4pm.

It features six installations on the town’s main street created by Highlights, a company that has previously worked on the popular Lumiere show in Durham.

The Stanley lights display includes an impressive £10,000 winter frost-effect tree, which was taken down hours after it was first unveiled two years ago over fears someone could be electrocuted.

It was made safe last year and now has pride of place as part of the community’s Christmas decorations.

Stanley Town Council has allocated £10,000 from its budget for this year’s seasonal celebrations, which includes a carol service on December 14 and a party for the elderly the day after.

A specially designed grotto in the Civic Hall will be open every Saturday until Christmas.