Hundreds of locals gathered at The Parade this evening to see Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar switch on the Alderley Edge Christmas lights and signal the start of Christmas in the village.
The crowds were entertained with performances from Alderley Edge School for Girls, Alderley District Scout Band, Melissa Atkinson, a Year 10 student from Wilmslow High School, and 16 year old Clarissa Hayward. Canalside Radio provided all the announcements and thanks to Wilmslow Round Table, Father Christmas made a popular appearance, arriving on his sleigh to hand out treats to the children and wish them all a very merry Christmas.
Rev Jane Parry welcomed everyone to the annual light switch on, and having thanked all the numerous people who helped make the evening a roaring success it was time for the countdown.
Van der Sar, who has lived with his family in Alderley Edge for the past five years, was assisted with the switch on by the two winners of this year's poster competition: Zoe Fogg aged 7 from Alderley Edge School for Girls and Amaya Gavin, also aged 7 from Alderley Edge Community Primary School. He then delighted the crowd by signing autographs and posing for photos.
Mitch Gilbert of Rainbow Balloons, and Chairman of Alderley Action Group, organised the event along with Heidi from Cutting Edge Salon. The evening was funded by the traders and businesses of Alderley Edge through their contributions to the Alderley Action Group. Those who provided sponsorship in the form of free food, gifts and assistance include Weinholts, Alderley Butchers, Barclays, NatWest, The Bubble Room, Bluemantle, Rainbow Balloons and The Potting Shed.
The Christmas lights in Alderley Edge are sponsored by Bluemantle, The Bubble Room, Pannone, The Emerson Group, Chafes and Councillor Yvonne Wrinch.
There are 18 photographs from this evening's event in the slideshow above, click 'next photo' to scroll through or play the slideshow.
