“IT’S been the best day of my life” said Evangeline Clark (4) after she switched on Crediton’s Christmas lights with her cousin Tilly Theedom (7), and Crediton Mayor, Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking.

Evangeline made the statement after she left the stage.

Evangeline and Tilly, who both live in Crediton, were the winners of the Children’s Fancy Dress competition during the afternoon and tradition has it that the year group winners switch on the lights with the Mayor.

Before the lights were switched on there was the usual search for Father Christmas, who was found waving out of a window from the Three Little Pigs.

The MC for the event, Stu Wight, was joined by Father Christmas and the large crowd of people who gathered in the Town Square in the countdown from 10 to zero before the lever was pushed by the trio to switch on the lights.

The Mayor thanked all those who had helped to make the Crediton Town Council Christmas in Crediton sub committee event possible, especially the sponsors, Crediton Dairy and Hedgerow Print.

She also thanked all the volunteer helpers.

The Lights Switch-On event started at 1pm with The Triffles, followed by performances from Winkleigh Morris and the Decibelles before Hayward’s and Landscore Primary Schools sang festive songs.

The Town Crier, Kevin Payne, welcomed everyone to the Town Square and then followed performances by The Turning Tides Project and Sandford Sings.

The Children’s Fancy Dress competition took place at Crediton Methodist Church and it proved to be a difficult decision for the judges to choose the winners.

The winners and the Mayor accompanied by the Town Crier led the parade from the top of Market Street to the Square.

The parade also included Crediton Scouts and their Scout cart complete with a Christmas tree, children from local primary schools and Crediton Guides carrying lit arches.

All the fancy dress competitors also took part as well as the Exeter Street Band.

The parade arrived and the Square was filled with many who had come to celebrate at the event.

The Land Train was very popular and there were large queues to get on. It ran from 2pm until 7pm.

Because of Storm Arwen it was not possible to have gazebos on the Town Square which prevented The Beatnxs from playing outside. The band played in the Three Little Pigs function room.

The High Street was buzzing with shoppers and many shops stayed open late to celebrate the occasion.

This year there were three cross-street decorations and more than 100 lit trees and stars are located on shop and business fronts.

Crediton Town Council Projects Officer Lisa Blake co-ordinated the event and said: “I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made it possible, and made it such a great afternoon and evening.

“It’s brilliant that it has gone so well.”

• See our colour spread of images from the event in the Crediton Courier on December 3.