WEYMOUTH Carnival queen Natalie Round helped mayor Paul Kimber light up the town centre and Brewer’s Quay by turning on the Christmas lights.

The duo turned on the lights at the quay’s Christmas tree and enjoyed a festive performance by the choir of St Nicholas and St Laurence School before being whisked off in a convoy of vintage cars to Weymouth town centre.

The cavalcade, led by the Portland Sea Cadets band, travelled past the King’s Statue before arriving at New Bond Street.

The dignitaries lit up the Christmas tree outside the White Hart pub in the company of town crier Doris Eastwood and Santa Claus who gave gifts and sweets to children in the crowd.

Coun Kimber said: “There was a brilliant turnout at Brewer’s Quay and in the town and the school choir’s performance was phenomenal.

“Credit should also go to our carnival queen who carried herself fantastically well while having to wear her carnival queen dress.”

Dad of two David Moyer was out Christmas shopping with his two daughters to see the lights being turned on.

Mr Moyer, of Wyke Regis, said: “I didn’t know this was happening so it was a nice surprise for us.

“The girls met Santa, which they enjoyed because they got a gift. It’s been a nice end to a rather hectic day of Christmas shopping for us.”

School assistant Stephanie Meecher was also shopping with her son Dylan, eight, and Mark, ten.

Mrs Meecher, of Southill, said: “These two had been pestering me about coming down here all week long so I thought I had best bring them otherwise I would have never heard the end of it. It’s been lovely afternoon and nice to see so many people.”

Former Coronation Street actor Danny Young, who is playing Peter Pan in pantomime at Weymouth Pavilion, had been due to turn on the lights but is understood to have become a father and was unable to attend.