Kesgrave has got into the festive spirit with the town’s Christmas tree lights switch on and Christmas Fayre.

The tree, located outside the 1st Kesgrave Scout Group Hall on Twelve Acre Approach, was illuminated by Santa and his elf companion at 6.20pm, to a crowd of hundreds of local residents and eager children.

Mark Davies, 39, from Kesgrave, with his son Jack, five, said: “I think it’s nice, and it’s really exciting for the children. This is the first time Jack has been here too.”

Amy Beech, 31, who was with her five-and-a-half old daughter Fay, added: “It’s our second time and it’s really nice to get the community out.”

Also alongside the light switch-on was a Santa’s Grotto and a performance from Kesgrave Singers choir group performing festive carols.

Emma Haggar from Kesgrave Singers said: “We love singing, particularly at Christmas. We are doing lots of concerts around the local area, and this is the place where we rehearse, so it is nice to come back for this.”

Lila Knights, four, from Kesgrave, added: “It was really fun meeting Santa. He gave me a present - I think it might be a big bag of sweets!”

Teresa Mann, 41, also from Kesgrave said: “It’s really lovely. Our son Barnaby has been so excited.”

The day was also the start of the Scouts Christmas Fayre, selling clothes and gifts to raise money for the local Scout group, which is on all weekend.