IN PICTURES: Christmas lights switch-on 2009

The event was organised by a committee made up of the Hildreds Centre, the carnival committee, the town council, police, the fire and rescue service, and local business people.

It saw the then Mayor of Skegness Coun Pat Phillips, the Jolly Fisherman, and the carnival queen and princess join Lincs FM presenter Ed Bretten on the stage outside the Hildreds to perform the countdown to the switch-on.

Centre manager Pete Roffe said: “It was absolutely superb. There was a really, really good atmosphere and Ed Bretten from Lincs FM was absolutely fantastic.”

As the lights came on, the crowd was showered with snow and festive music blared out.