WINTRY weather heralded the launch of one of the most renowned Christmas light shows in the Borders.

But it did not deter folk from cramming the streets of Innerleithen for the big switch on.

Organisers hailed the evening as another big success - and praised the efforts of townspeople in ensuring the illuminations were better than ever.

St Ronan’s Dux Boy Alex Paterson was joined by Dux Girl Estelle Nguyen and Lantern Bearer Josh Landers for the launch outside the Cleikum Mill at the west end of the High Street.

The master switch was thrown at 4.30pm to bring a festive glow to the town. “It was sleeting for a lot of the time and we all got soaked but I have to say it went very well,” said Jean Wilson, the chair of the Innerleithen Civic Association.

“It was very well-attended and all the folk that braved the storm were rewarded with a wonderful light show.

The Christmas lights have been a tradition in Innerleithen for around 25 years and this year’s show was freshened up with a refurbished St Ronan’s sign and five new motifs.

“It’s been another fantastic fundraising effort from the public to enable us to put our show on,” said Mrs Wilson.

“We still believe our lights are the best around. Peebles makes a smashing job of theirs but they are not quite as good as ours!

“We did have a hiccup a few years ago when the council insisted on low voltage for health and safety reasons but apart from that it’s been great every year.

“All the lights are low voltage now and it’s not a bad thing as it reduces our electricity bill.

“This show is for the people of Innerleithen - and it’s all down to the hard work of the squad of volunteers who put up the lights and the painters who do the motifs.” Ross McGinn, of Innerleithen Civic Trust, said: “Scottish Borders Council support us by giving us a tree but the people of Innerleithen do everything else.

“There are about 20 in the squad, some are electricians, others are qualified and the rest are labourers to do the donkey work.

“The event all came together really nicely and the best thing of all is when you see the excitement on children’s faces and you can’t take that away.” St Ronan’s Silver Band played some seasonal music before the switch on then led a torchlight parade via the High Street and Leithen Road to the War Memorial for some carol singing. Strings of multicoloured lights extended from Peebles Road along the High Street and over Leithen Bridge.

The lights also brightened up the top of Traquair Road, Chapel Street and Factory Lane.

The impressive Christmas tree at the War Memorial was surrounded by floodlit elves and reindeer and by the flagpole there was a winter tableau with a display by the Brownies who are celebrating their 100th anniversary.

Other features of the show are the welcome from St Ronan on the gable of the Union Club and the motif on the Cleikum Mill celebrating 200 years of St Ronan Silver Band.

At St James’s Church there is a traditional nativity tableau and the trees sparkle with a myriad of tiny blue and white St Ronan’s lights.

There will be plenty of opportunities to see the impressive illuminations as they will not be taken down until January 4.