THE Beltane Queen, Elena Chrystie, and Santa Claus combined forces to illuminate Peebles for Christmas.

The pair pressed a plunger at precisely 5.30pm on Sunday to create seasonal sparkle across Eastgate, Northgate and the High Street.

The Master of Ceremonies, Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler, led a crowd of hundreds, packing the space in front of the stage, in a 10 second countdown.

Leading up to the grand moment Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s’ Pipe Band belted out two tunes.

In the minutes leading up to the countdown Mr Tatler said: “Thanks are due to Mr and Mrs Balfour of Dawyck Estates for providing the magnificent tree.

“Thanks also to Irvine Plant ltd and Scottish Borders Council for it transport and installation.

“None of this would have been possible without the generous financial support of Stobo Castle and Glenrath Farms.”

Earlier the Rotary Club of Peebles president, Willie MacLeod, presented a cheque to Peebles Christmas Lights Association secretary Anne Snoddy.

During the afternoon as revellers browsed the High Street stalls and children enjoyed the fun fair musical entertainment was provided by a range of players and choirs including: Peebles Bellringers Group; The 40 member P5 to P7 Kingsland Choir led by Caroline Belville; Nomad Beat Community Choir and The Taylor Brothers.

The Kingsland choir numbers included Merry Christmas Everyone and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

The choir will also sing at their school Christmas Fayre and their own Carols by Candlelight event.

Mr Tatler told the crowd a little known fact, about the Bellringers, that any inhabitant of the town who celebrates their 100th birthday can request a short ringing of the church bells to mark the occasion.