The lights go on with little fanfare but spread some festive cheer to Swad

IT is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Swadlincote as the town is awash with festive lights.

The switching on of the Christmas lights is usually a big occasion in the town as thousands turn out to mark what is often seen as the official start of the festive season

Traditionally, families attending the event use it to spend quality time together mingling on the streets as singers perform the festive classics before the big countdown to the switch being flicked and the lights display going on. And, of course, they patronise the shops to pick up their Christmas gifts.

Coronavirus has put a stop to that this year in towns and cities across the country, and in Swadlincote the Christmas lights have been turned on without any ceremony, as has also been the case in other places across the UK.

The lights are now here to stay up to and beyond December 25, and if you are out shopping for essentials make sure you take time to admire them as they are bound to bring a smile to everyone’s faces at the end of what has been a challenging year.

One visitor to the town centre said: “I was out for evening walk when I saw the colourful lights glistening in the distance.

“It’s the first time I’d seen them switched on this year.

“It was slightly spooky though as there were no people at all really. Swad lights is one of the biggest things in Swad, everyone goes to it and to see it so quiet is quite sad really.

“The lights look great as ever, though. I’m glad that they have turned them on, it just spreads a bit of Christmas cheers on all this doom and gloom.”