Richmond was in a festive mood last week after a successful online event culminated in a spectacular Christmas lights switch on around the town.

Livestreamed on YouTube on Thursday, November 26, the event featured seasonal community entertainment from local performers including former Strictly Come Dancing professional Andrew Cuerden, Richmond Music Trust Jazz Band, St Richard's Primary School, Ibstock Place School and the Richmond Corporate Choir.

You can rewatch the broadcast at the top of this story.

The switch on ceremony was performed by 'lockdown hero' Nick Botting of the Angel and Crown pub in Church Court. During the spring lockdown, Nick and his team provided cooked 5,000 meals for Richmond residents in need.

During the webcast, Santa gave live 'shout outs' to local children and the Mayor of Richmond, councillor Geoff Acton gave a seasonal message to viewers.

Viewers were able to enjoy the entertainment and watch the lights go on all around the town from the comfort of their own homes.

The Christmas Lights and the online event were all funded by Richmond town centre businesses which are part of Be Richmond.

Be Richmond manager Ellen Amorina Storrar said: "The safety of our local residents is of paramount importance, so, like many other towns, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel our hugely popular 'live' Lights Switch On event.

"But we were determined to recreate the spirit of the event in an online format. It wasn't easy though. During planning, we went from Tier 1 to Tier 2 and then into lockdown.

"We therefore had to constantly adapt the format to comply with new regulations. However, we were delighted with the support we received from the community and thrilled with the outcome.

"The event showcased Richmond as a beautiful town with a superb retail and hospitality offer. We hope that residents and visitors will support our businesses in a safe and responsible way."

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