THOUSANDS of people turned out across South Lakeland as the festive season officially began with a great Christmas light-up!

As part of its cele-brations, more than 100 Father Christmases ran through Kendal for the first ever Santa Dash in aid of Lancaster’s St John’s Hospice, while over in Ambleside the town enjoyed its biggest ever switch-on.

Describing the Kendal event, Julie Miller, appeals co-ordinator for St John’s Hospice, said: “There were San-tas running, hopping, skipping, walking, dancing, and at the end hobbling. They all made their way to K Village and there join-ed the real Santa and his reindeer who led the procession back to Market Place.”

Over in Ambleside, the town was packed as visitors and locals enjoyed the celebrations, with market stalls in the streets, a skating rink, two craft fairs, Ambleside Cancer Care’s Christmas Fair, and an all-day barbecue.

Christmas Lights Co-mmittee chair Andrew Hewitt said: “It was absolutely packed, locals said they couldn’t ever remember seeing more people on the streets. I don’t know whether missing out last year because of the floods had anything to do with it, but it all went like clockwork.

“I think the switch-on has turned into more of a Christmas Festival – there’s a bit more to it these days than just switching on the lights.”

At Waterhead pier, a fully-laden Windermere Lakes cruiser sailed to Bowness with throngs of children and their families to fetch Father Christmas, escorted by Alexander Keys and Zara Schofield, from Langdale Primary School, dressed as Jack Frost and the Snow Princess.

The firework finale organised by Windermere and Ambleside Lions had to be delayed to allow time for the sheer numbers to make their way to Rothay Park, where a firework spectacular brought the day to a sparkling end.

Committee secretary Fiona Sparrow said: “The switch-on was a fantastic community effort, thanks to the whole town. Visitors came from near and far – and council represen-tatives even came from Carlisle to see how we organise things.”

Festive celebrations are set to continue this Saturday and Sunday over in Ulverston for the 11th Dickensian Christmas Festival, which always attracts thousands of people, many of whom dress up in period costume.

Free entertainment for all the family is on offer, plus a traditional fairground, and a Christmas market.