HUNDREDS of people gathered on a quiet street to see a television presenter turn on Christmas lights.
Duncan Wood from Calendar flicked the switch at Robin Royd Avenue in Mirfield.
Nearly 1,000 people were there to see the row of houses illuminated.
Derek Highe, who has helped organise the event for the last six years, said: “It was amazing to see so many people there. It was absolutely packed. I would like to thank everyone who came.”
Sunday’s switch-on was in memory of Bob Swailes, who died of cancer aged 68 in January.
He had helped organise the Christmas lights with his wife Margaret, Derek, and their neighbours David and Tracy Green.
Derek said: “Bob would have been proud of the switch-on.
“He always said it put a smile on his face to see the lights.”
Skelmanthorpe Band performed at the switch-on and Whiteleys Garden Centre, at Leeds Road, supplied fireworks for the event.
This year’s lights display is in aid of Kirkwood Hospice in Dalton.
Some £13,882 has been raised for several charities since the lights display began in 2002. But Derek said this year’s switch-on would be the last.
He said: “It was the last official switch-on but we’ll continue to do the lights each year. I just feel that we couldn’t ever match what we’ve achieved this year and I don’t want it to tail away.”
For information visit www.robinroyd-xmas-lights.co.uk
