THE heavens opened an hour before Lydney's Christmas lights switch-on, so procedings moved rapidly into the Town Hall.

Severnbanks pupil Daisy Birt-Phelps won the Christmas card prize and so had the honour of switching on the tree lights. Lydney mayor Cllr Bill Osborne made the presentation.

"We had quite a good turnout – and Santa definitely had the longest queue," said Bill.

Makinson and Co Accountants won the Christmas window competition.

"The theme was Christmas Round the World. Makinsons only have a small side-window but they got just about everything in there – and absolutely fabulous window," said Bill.