THOUSANDS of people in Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs turned out to see the start of this year's Christmas celebrations.

Switches for the festive lights in Lewisham, Greenwich and Eltham were flipped in separate events.

Eltham Lights Up was the third and most spectacular to date, with its community lantern parade, carnival characters and creatures, musicians and dancers.

Mayor Greenwich Councillor Terry Malone lit up the night sky before the procession snaked its way to Eltham Hill school for a fireworks finale.

Sparkling lights illuminating Greenwich Market and town centre were given the panto treatment by cast member's from Greenwich Theatre's Jack and the Beanstalk.

Ex-EastEnder Ian Reddington, who is playing Stinkwort, and Coronation Street's Rebecca Sarker, who is starring as fairy, turned on the lights.

Music and song was provided by pupils from St Alfege with St Peter primary school, the Greenwich Youth Band and a jazz trio from the Trinity College of Music.

Lewisham's lights were set a blaze at the end of Winter Festival Day activities, on Saturday.

Various events entertained shoppers and onlookers throughout the day, which included Fusion Radio's roadshow, line dancing, Indian drumming and the Agape African Gospel Choir.

Activities culminated in a procession and lantern parade before the lights were switched on by Lewisham Council's deputy for social inclusion Councillor Mee Ling Ng.

November 27, 2001 10:48