FEWER people than usual turned out to see Otley's turning on of the Christmas lights on Monday.

The Mayor, Councillor Gerard Francis opted for a low key ceremony with traditional carol singing.

Parents and children half filled the Market Place to hear singers from the Shipley Salvation Army sing Christ-mas carols and to see Santa Claus give out sweets.

The ceremony also included an address by Linda Watson, of Otley Salvation Army.

The Mayor, Coun Gerard Francis said although there were fewer people than previous years, the ceremony was as he had planned.

"I think it went all right. There wasn't the teenage lads hanging around that there can be and people said to me it was nice to hear the children singing along to the carols."

The lights were turned on by the mayor's three-year-old nephew, Callum Francis, son of the Deputy Mayor, Coun Nigel Francis.

The town's festive displays are different this year with the strings of fairy lights replaced with individual Christmas trees on more than 120 shops and businesses. Some have criticised the displays and have said there are less lights than usual, but Coun Phil Coyne, chairman of the town council's environmental development committee has pointed out there are three times as many lights as last year.

In a change to previous years, the town council has handed out free live Christmas trees to every business that has wanted one.

Coun Francis said: "People have said to me there doesn't seem to be many lights. I think the problem is if you go along Kirkgate there are quite a few gaps, it would be all right if every business had a tree but not all of them have. They do look quite nice, but I think it's a matter of opinion."

Meanwhile, support is gathering amongst traders and businesses in the town for Otley's Spirit of Christmas Day due to take place on Friday, December 6.

Planned to replace the cancelled Otley Victorian Fayre, children from six Otley schools will be singing carols in the town centre throughout the day and shops and businesses will be entering into the spirit by dressing up and putting on mince pies and mulled wine.

Coun Francis said: "I've been getting a lot of support for the event. A lot of shops have been saying they will be putting on something special, but it's a case of waiting until the day to see just how many people actually do something."

Barbara Denkinson, of The Toycupboard in Kirkgate Arcade, said she had already decorated her shop and would be dressing up either as Santa Claus on December 6 or in Victorian costume.

And Denise Mather of A C Embroidery, who has just opened a new shop in Market Place, said she would also be dressing up on the day.

Coun Francis added he was urging as many businesses as possible to enter the Spirit of Christmas competition.

Entrants will be judged on window displays and the costumes of workers.

"People need not go Victorian, we're just asking people to do something Christmassy," said Coun Francis. The winner of the Spirit of Christmas competition will receive a trophy.

Anyone wanting to enter the competition should contact Lesley Tate at the Wharfedale Observer, 9 Orchard Gate.