STARS of the panto and the pitch came together tonight to illuminate Old Town at the annual Christmas lights switch-on.

Joined by Swindon Mayor Teresa Page, the plunger fell beneath footballing brothers Louis and Nathan Thompson, along with appearances from the cast of the Wyvern Theatre’s Dick Whittington, Swindon Wildcats, and jolly old St Nick himself.

Owen Collier, Royal Wootton Bassett town crier, led the countdown in his role replicating local crier Fred Ferris.

“It is a pleasure to come to Old Town and be involved with something like this,” he said.

“The place has got great character, and I am amazed at how many people come out every year without fail and pack Wood Street. It’s a wonderful atmosphere and an absolutely excellent evening.”

Swindon Town defender Nathan Thompson said it had been a privilege to launch the proceedings with his brother Louis, who is currently on loan from Norwich.

“I love doing this and I did the same last year,” he said.

“We were saying in the car on the way up what a real honour it is to be asked to do this, and it is a really proud moment.

“This is the first time I have done this with Louis and he probably won’t be at the club any more this time next year so it might be the only chance we get.

“It is fantastic to see all the people packing out the street and all the businesses do a grand job of it.”

Mayor Teresa Page said: “This is the 27th year this has been on, and the great thing about Old Town is it is old Swindon. They have really kept the feel of it alive. It is part of our tradition and Richard Deacon and all the businesses who organise it are brilliant.”

Entertainment was on hand for the whole family, with the Turner exhibition at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery open for extended hours.

Along with a drawing competition for the under 15s, and a prize handed out for the best seasonally decorated shop front in Old Town, the bars and restaurants stayed open late to accommodate the crowd crammed into Wood Street.

Dancers from the Tanwoods School of Performing Arts wowed the crowd, who were also treated to performances from Les Bicyclettes before the plunger fell at 7pm.

Noreen Sheppard, secretary of the Old Town Business and Professional Association, said people can expect something a little different in a year’s time.

“This just gets bigger every year, and we hoping that next year we can put on a Christmas Market in Old Town,” she said. “That is still in the early stages but is in the pipeline.

“I think this is even more popular than the new town lights. It is that little bit more personal because it is not quite so spread out. The businesses that stay open do quite well and do a roaring trade on the night.”