WATCHING Slough's big Christmas lights switch on proved more exciting than expected for one little girl and some vivacious mums.

The fun began as the crowds began to gather and a team from the council handed out leaflets explaining what was going to happen.

Each leaflet had a number on it and when it came time for the switch on one excited little girl called Victoria learned that she had the magic number and had been picked to join the mayor Cllr Paul Sohal in flicking the all important switch and starting the fireworks.

Victoria also won a hamper full of goodies donated by traders in the town.

There was also a big surprise for some mums, who were picked out of the crowd and invited to show off their dancing skills. Plenty of game mums had a go and there were even prizes to go with the cheers they received.

Some of Slough's most talented young people had also been enlisted to keep the crowds entertained.

The Elite Drummers based at St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School in Slough demonstrated the skill on the Dhol drums that has earned them a massive reputation around the town.

Talented youngsters from the Creative Academy also performed their own amazing show.

The Academy is run by Slough Borough Council and gives young people a unique chance to train as dancers at its headquarters in Stoke Poges Lane.

Christmas would not be Christmas without a panto and the cast of Beauty and the Beast due to be performed at the Curve turned out in force.

The enormously popular Pop Goes the Choir from Burnham sang and the Gaiczek and Lesna Polish dancers showed off their skills.

Singer Dan Pryde added his talent to the occasion.

Lynsey Hellewell, the council's events officer, said: "The weather was fantastic and it turned out to be an amazing event. We are grateful to local traders for their generous donations and everyone had a wonderful time."