CHRISTMAS came early to Bradford tonight when it became the first city in the UK to switch on its festive lights.

Pop stars Lemar, last year's X Factor winner Matt Terry and fellow contestant Christian Burrows performed for a jam-packed crowd at the Christmas lights switch-on held inside The Broadway shopping centre.

The lights were officially switched on at 6.30pm by the two X Factor stars and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee. Bradford's festivities beat Manchester's switch-on ceremony by an hour.

Hundreds of people stopped their shopping to watch the free event, also held to mark the second anniversary of the shopping centre tomorrow.

Shoppers were not only treated to live music from the solo stars but also had the chance to win tickets to this year's pantomime, Cinderella, at the Alhambra.

Lemar, who finished third on BBC TV's Fame Academy in 2002 and went on to win two Brit Awards and three Mobo awards, performed some of his chart hits.

The soul singer wowed the crowd with his three-song set, which he started in the entrance to Marks & Spencer at the centre, and featured If There's Any Justice and Dance With You.

Mr Burrows, who made the final of last year's X Factor, kicked off the evening's action with three of his own songs.

Then Mr Terry closed the musical part of the ceremony with his four songs, which included When Christmas Comes Around, written by Ed Sheeran.

Before he helped to switch on the centre's lights, Mr Terry took a selfie on stage with the crowd.

The crowd also got into the festive spirit, singing along to seasonal hits including 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey.

The event also marked the official switch on for Bradford's civic Christmas lights.