BBC presenter Peter Levy and television weatherman Paul Hudson raised a few laughs as guests of honour at the official Ilkley Christmas lights switch-on.

Families and people of all ages flocked on to The Grove late on Saturday afternoon to see the town's lights switched on, and many stayed to join in the singing of Christmas carols.

A well-supported parade set out from Booth's supermarket at 4.30pm, and made its way to The Grove. Participants included pupils from Westville House School and musicians from Churches Together in Ilkley.

Booths sent along Father and Mother Christmas on a carriage driven by grey horses, and accompanied by six elves from the Ilkley Upstagers.

Ilkley town crier Chris Richards was called upon to put his skills to good use, clearing a path through the crowds, to bring Peter Levy and Paul Hudson to the steps of Christchurch, where they started the countdown to the big switch-on.

Mr Levy and Mr Hudson spent around half an hour after the ceremony, mingling with the crowds and signing autographs. Mr Levy told the Ilkley Gazette: "It was terrific. It's always a warm reception in Ilkley. There was a great number of people on The Grove."

Last year's celebrity guest, Sir Jimmy Savile, sent his best wishes for the festive season to Ilkley.

The lights switch-on itself went without hitch, although sadly the latest addition to Ilkley's lights - a four metre-high cascading waterfall display - broke down just minutes after being switched on.

Parish clerk, Miggy Bailey, said the display would be working again this week and by Monday it was shining brightly again .

A spokesman for the Ilkley Festivities Committee, David Giddings, felt the event had gone well, and said it had grown since the committee began holding the official switch-on on The Grove in 2000,

He said: "Saturday's event was Ilkley Festivities' third year outside Christchurch on The Grove. Miggy Bailey, Kate Brown and our chairman, Mike Gibbons, all did an excellent job to make this event happen. The numbers of people involved behind the scenes are too many to thank individually, but a big 'thank you' goes to everyone involved with this year's event.

"A special message was sent by Sir Jimmy Savile, wishing everyone a great day and I believe everyone enjoyed Peter Levy and Paul Hudson's appearance."

Mr Giddings said the festivities committee would go back to the drawing board early in 2003 to begin preparations for next year's Christmas lights.