THOUSANDS of fairy lights and a spectacular fireworks display lit up Watford town centre tonight, as a healthy crowd and hundreds of beaming smiles greeted this year’s Christmas lights turn on.

Local X Factor star, Amy Connelly, was on hand to push the plunger and illuminate The Harlequin Centre at around 7pm, after showcasing her debut single to the sizeable crowd.

After entertaining the audience for over an hour, TV personality Jeff Brazier was joined on stage by stars from Watford FC and Saracens to watch Amy turn on this year's lights and launch another festive season.

Earlier, children's TV characters Dora the Explorer and Diego had proved the star turn - especially with the young audience - dancing around with cast members from this year's panto at The Palace Theatre.

And after winning the opportunity to play in a battle of the bands competition, Hemel Hempstead band UnderView also thrilled the crowd with their set.

Before taking to the stage, Amy, a former Bushey Meads pupil from North Watford, told the Watford Observer: “I was asked to turn the lights on about a month and a half ago and it was just so surreal.

“I thought it was a joke to begin with – it is really weird.”

Just two years ago Amy watched on as the lights were , however, after shooting to fame in year's this X Factor auditions she tonight took centre stage.

However, the 19-year-old admitted: “I'm still not used to it. People come up to me and say 'you’re the girl from the X Factor aren’t you?' It is really surreal at the moment.”

After belting out cover versions of Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Fratellis classics, four-piece unsigned rockers, UnderView, said they had thoroughly enjoyed playing in front of such an enthusiastic crowd.

Lead singer, James Godkin, said: “It has been great. We love playing anywhere so the more people the merrier.

“The crowd were very appreciative - they had been out there for while and I think anything would have done.”

Watford stars Richard Lee, Leigh Bromby and Tommy Smith also took part in a series of games with the counter parts from Saracens, Don Barrell and Bradley Barritt.

This year’s lights differ from previous ones as they now use lower wattage bulbs - meaning the centre will save on lost power and reduce costs.

They are also now plugged into the shopping centre’s main electricity hub, allowing staff to turn them off more easily during the night and conserve energy.

And despite the Christmas lights being turned on before Watford’s bonfire night celebrations, general manager of The Harlequin, Michael Stevens, says they have not gone on any earlier this year.

“In all the years I have been here - and I believe all the years the shopping centre has been here - they have always gone on this week.”