Crowds gathered for a market’s first Christmas light switch-on.

The New Watford Market’s festive event in Watford House Lane on December 5 featured carols from the St Mary’s Choir alongside a blessing from the Vicar.

Lee Partridge from Vibe FM switched the lights on and Harvey Bear from the peace hospice “caused mischief”.

Em’s Vintage Café provided sweet treats and Baileys hot chocolate and a Santa’s grotto was also unveiled, which will be running every Saturday up until Christmas, with proceeds going to the Peace Hospice.

Callum Wright, the assistant manager of sales said: “The event was very much trader driven, with myself helping coordinate all of their efforts and ensure that everything ran smoothly.

“We just from holding buckets on the evening traders managed to raise £52.40 for the Peace Hospice, which was pretty good considering the event was only really on for around 90 minutes or so.

“It may have been the first for the market but after the turnout it definitely won’t be the last, over the coming year the market is planning several events to come.”