FESTIVE joy was in the air at the turning on of the Cirencester Christmas lights in the town’s Market Place on Saturday.

Live music from Cotswold groups including Uncle Monty and Missing' Rosie entertained the crowds all day before actor Nigel Havers flicked the switch in the Market Place.

The evening concluded with an explosive finale, which saw fireworks shoot out of the roof of the parish church - much to the delight of crowd.

Emma Martin, who attended the event said she had a fantastic time.

She said: “I think it was really good this year. There are good lights - good fireworks. It is a lovely night. It was better than other years. There is a better atmosphere than there has been before.”

Mr Havers, who starred as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, said that despite living near Marlborough for many years he had never visited Cirencester.

He said: “I have never been here before, I do not know why.”

Mr Havers explained that he had no opinion on Cirencester as he had only just arrived.

After turning on the lights Mr Havers, who is performing in  Dick Whittington at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon this month, immediately left Cirencester to go home as he said he needed to relax.

Mr Havers said: “I haven’t had a day off since I can remember.”

Mayor of Cirencester Joe Harris, his father and organiser Mark Harris and Santa Claus were some of the dignitaries who joined Mr Havers on a stage in the Market Place for the switch on of the lights.

Santa beamed as he told the Standard how happy he was to visit the town.

“It is a lovely town I have nothing bad to say about it,” he said He added that lots of little boys in the town had asked him for Lego for Christmas which were easy to get down the chimney but little girls had been asking for ponies which was more difficult to fit down .

He explained that although he liked Cirencester, the parking in the town centre needed improvement as he had to park the sleigh right up by the rugby club.

The event also marked the start of the Cirencester Advent festival and The Rev Canon Leonard Doolan of the Parish Church reinforced the importance of the event.

He said: “Advent is a very distinguished part of the Christmas festival. We have four weeks of Advent before we celebrate Christmas and it has been wonderful over the years to see the way we have celebrated this marvellous season."