THE local groups behind Ardrossan’s Christmas lights display have issued a huge ‘thank you’ to all those who made the event a success.

The town’s lights were switched on as darkness fell on Saturday night, bathing Glasgow Street in a festive glow and getting everyone into the seasonal mood.

A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Christmas Lights Committee said: “We would like to wish everyone in Ardrossan a very merry Christmas and say a massive thank you to everyone who came along to support our Christmas lights switch-on event.

“The event would not have been such a success without all the help from our wonderful volunteers and community groups – Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society, Nazarene Church, Ardrossan Community Development Trust and Ardrossan Youth Association, who worked hard to organise and deliver on the night, and to all the lovely shops and businesses who decorated their windows – they were all amazing, and the winner of the ‘best dressed window’ competition will be announced in January.”

The parade featured members of the Julie Carson Dancers, Triple Act Theatre, the Ardrossan Youth Association, Busy Bees Nursery, the Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society, the Ardrossan Sea Cadets and Ardrossan’s coastguard rescue team - as well as members of the public who couldn’t resist the opportunity to join in and take to the streets.

The spokesperson continued: “To all the groups who took part in the parade, and everyone else who joined in on the night, a very big thank you – you were amazing.

To all our performers who performed inside on the stage – the Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band, Triple Act Choir, HUGS Ukulele Band, Seahorse Books and Eilidh McCormack from Ardrossan Academy – you were all fabulous.

“A huge thanks to the North Ayrshire Foodbank for providing hot soup etc on the night to heat everyone up and to Ardrossan Indoor Bowling Club for providing refreshments – and to Alison Montgomery, to Gerry for driving Santa’s sleigh, Santa himself, and Mrs Cathie Bell (below right), winner of last year’s best dressed home window, for switching on the lights.

“Thanks also to NAC Connected Communities for supporting the group throughout the year, and to the NAC lighting electricians for working hard to get as many lights up as possible this year. We appreciate everything you do for us.

“Last but not least we would like to say a massive thank you to the local businesses and shops in the town who took part in the Christmas window sticker initiative, displaying our Christmas tree stickers in their windows after donating money to help us cover the many costs of getting the lights put up.

“We were overwhelmed with your generosity.”

The Christmas window sticker initiative was supported by Seahorse Books, A. & I. Inglis Funeral Director, Splash Sport Fishing Tackle & Bait, Charlie’s Bar, the Ardrossan Youth Association, Sylvia’s Soapy Suds, Wavelength, At The Salon, Dee Dee’s Cutz, The Hair Studio, Premier VG Store, Ayrshire Grooming Salon, Radiance Beauty and ACDT.

All photos taken by Charlie Gilmour