The town centre was closed to traffic on Friday night to make way for an array of stalls and live entertainment, which were enjoyed by more than 10,000 people.

Five celebrities from the Peter Pan panto at Northampton's Deco Theatre took centre stage for the light switch-on ceremony, hosted by community radio station Harborough FM.

They included former Brookside star Danny McCall, Louisa Lytton, who was in EastEnders, The Bill and Strictly Come Dancing, former Hollyoaks actress Christina Baily, The Bill stalwart Tony O'Callaghan and Byker Grove's Hazel Pude.

The stars spoke to the crowd before switching on the lights with the help of six-year-old Alex Barnes, of Edward Road, Fleckney, who had pioneering treatment in Florida last year to help him overcome a brain tumour.

To watch a video of the switch-on click the play symbol on the player above.

You can also watch a video of some of the night's other festivities here.

Or watch singer Grace Trabbuchi performing a Christmas number on the HFM stage here.

The improved lights and Christmas tree on The Square were this year organised by Harborough Improvement Team and the town's Chamber of Trade and are sponsored by the Market Harborough Building Society.

The celebrities then signed autographs before rushing back to Northampton in time for a 7.30pm dress rehearsal, leaving the stage to pupils from Great Bowden Primary School, who performed carols.

Singer Grace Trabucchi also took to the HFM stage later to perform some classic Christmas songs.

Chairman of the Late Night Shopping Committee, Margaret Kenny, said: "It was a brilliant night with a great turnout. We certainly had more people than last year, which was great."

Mrs Kenny thanked Stephen Sanderson Transport, which provided a lorry in Abbey Street free-of-charge for musicians from Robert Smyth School to use as a stage, Brandon Tool Hire for providing a free generator for the lighting and Clive Howe from Leicestershire County Council Highways, who helped with barriers for the road closures.

"There are so many people to thank," said Mrs Kenny.

"It's people like that who help things run smoothly by helping us solve those last-minute problems which sometimes crop up. I'd also like to thank the Harborough Mail and HFM for promoting the event."

Ann Bushby, fundraising director for the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, which held a stall on The Square, told the Mail on the night: "It's been a great turnout, everyone seems to be spending money. It's a shame about the rain but it's been a good night. We're selling out of chocolates, so it must be good."

Charles Barton is a trustee for the New Futures Nepal charity, which supports street children in the country, and with his wife Anne was running a stall at the top of the High Street.

Mr Barton said: "We've had a great night. There seems to be plenty of people around.