OAKWORTH'S Christmas lights were switched on yesterday (December 2).

And the event, plus a festive fair that preceded it, have been hailed as a huge success.

Sheepdog trials champ Carol Mellin, who lives locally, performed the switch-on honours.

She was runner up, representing England, in this year's BBC One Man and His Dog competition.

And there was a performance from singer Nigel Passey Jnr.

Before the ceremony, as in previous years, the village society's annual Christmas fair took place in the village hall.

Councillor Luke Maunsell, who represents Oakworth on Keighley Town Council, says: "I want to extend my utter appreciation and thanks to the team at Oakworth Village Society and the Christmas lights committee for their sterling work.

"This partnership has proven extremely successful in recent years, and it certainly was again this time.

"The village hall was heaving for the fair – I've never seen it so full – and the homemade cakes and soup went down a treat!

"After that, Mags Dearden, Irene A Fowler, the rest of the lights committee and the wonderful Scouts put on another spectacular switch-on.

"It does my heart good to see such a high turnout and people from across the village come together."