A PROPOSAL was a surprise highlight of the Christmas lights switch-on in Windermere as the town geared-up for its annual weekend of festivities, which begins today.

Darryl Hanson, of Sheffield, got down on one knee and popped the question to new fiancée Jasmin. The answer was, fortunately, yes! The couple have travelled to see the annual lights switch-on for a number of years.

The event was kicked-off by the melodies of choirs from three local schools. There was then a parade from Windermere railway station which headed through the town with Santa turning the lights on as he passed, before a spectacular fireworks finale.

Nicola Hastie, on behalf of the Bowness and Windermere Lights Committee, thanked everyone who had chipped-in to help ensure the committee of just five people was able to hold the event.

She said: “Without more support in the future we will not be able to keep this wonderful family affair going which would be very sad, especially for the team who love all the smiles on the children’s faces when Santa lights up our village.”

And Windermere has now readied itself for a bumper weekend of festivities, with this year’s Christmas celebration set to be the the biggest yet. The event, which begins today, will feature more stalls than ever as well as the brand new addition of an ice rink, while it is predicted there will be a record turnout.

According to organisers, the weekend of Yuletide fun brings around 10,000 visitors into the town every year and many hotels have been booked-up for weeks. Kate Barton, of Windermere Tourist Information Centre, said: “It’s fantastic to hear the event, which hasn’t even happened yet, has had such a brilliant effect on local businesses.

“We’re sure that effect will continue over the celebration weekend so businesses in the town and our stall holders reap the benefits as we are expecting more people than ever to attend.”

Miguel Sanchez, general manager of the Windermere Hotel, said: “We have seen this event grow year on year and the event’s growth has been mirrored in our own occupancy levels in what would otherwise, even for us, a national company, be a soft weekend in the winter months.

He added: “We have no doubt that the event will continue to grow from strength to strength and further benefit many businesses throughout Windermere and the surrounding area at this usually quiet time of year.”