Cleckheaton kicks off the festive season

Families met Santa and enjoyed the festivities at the biggest Cleckheaton Christmas lights switch-on yet.

Cleckheaton Chamber of Trade treasurer Ann Pinfield said: “The 2015 event was even more spectacular than ever with the Christmas lights extending further than ever out of the town centre.

“The fireworks were amazing and, as promised, the snow came down!”

Chamber of trade president Viv Laycock said the event was only possible with support from businesses and residents in the town.

“If the community didn’t help it wouldn’t be possible,” she said.

“Considering the absolutely terrible weather there was a really good atmosphere. It just shows the support the event receives from the town.”

Meanwhile the final preparations are being made for Heckmondwike’s lights switch-on.

With more than 100 years experience and as one of the first towns in the country to have illuminations, visitors have been told to expect something a little different.

Teaming up with Kirklees-based arts group Creative Scene, organisers said the show would include digital illuminations and “light-based art”.

Simon Thirkill, from Heckmondwike Community Alliance, said: “We’ve been supported by Creative Scene to think about how we can bring the tradition bang up to date and hopefully help sustain it into the future.

“We want to put Heckmondwike back on the map for the best light show in the north”

The Carnival of Light will take place in Green Park Saturday November 28, 4pm-8.30pm with the lights switch-on at 6.30pm.