SANTA Clause made a special trip from the North Pole to switch on Barnard Castle’s Christmas lights last week.
Hundreds of people converged on Scar Top for the annual event which was expanded this year to include a dramatic lantern parade that marched from Commercial Yard down to Woodleigh and Scar Top.
The parade, which included a variety of community groups such as the Cubs and Brownies who had created a host of different lantern designs, was led town crier Ian Kirkbride.
Immediately afterwards the Cubs and Brownies helped Santa turn on the Christmas lights before he headed off to his grotto in the Methodist Church where he spoke to children about their Christmas wishes and handed out sweets and Christmas tree decorations.
Barnard Castle Brass Band entertained with a selection of Christmas Carols while children enjoyed playing in a large snowglobe.
