THE crowds came out in force last night for the switch-on of the Christmas lights at the Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford.

Rebecca Ferguson, LMA Choir, local singing sensation Thomas Lillywhite and ex-Love Island finalist Wes Nelson were part of a star-studded, dazzling display of lights which was part of the Sparkling Bradford campaign.

Former X Factor runner-up Ferguson and this year's entrants LMA Choir sang for the crowds while Nelson did a meet-and-greet for fans.

Winners of Pulse Radio's festive pitch battle were children from Dixon Music Primary School, Shearbridge, after they got the better of five other Bradford schools in a sing-off on the stage outside Marks & Spencer.

Made Bradford also hosted a new Christmas Craft Market on the day with an outdoor Christmas Bar and funfair also running throughout the day between The Kirkgate and The Broadway.

Next weekend Sparkling Bradford will see the Magical Reindeer Parade take place at the Kirkgate Shopping Centre at 10am, an opportunity to see Santa and his real live reindeer as they parade through the city’s streets.

Illuminate Bradford returns in late November.