INNERLEITHEN has turned on the festive feel-good factor this week.

As the countdown to Christmas edges ever closer, the work from volunteers at the Innerleithen Civic Association Lights Team ensured another smooth switch-on for the hundreds of locals who turned up on Sunday afternoon.

All of the festive well-wishers were treated to a packed programme of entertainment all around the town.

Now in its 31st year, the event saw a new addition, commissioned by Church of Scotland for St Ronan’s Primary pupils to come up with a light design to mark its 150th anniversary.

The stunning new light, entitled ‘hope’ was designed by Lexi McTeir-Hay.

And she was given the honour of switching it on for the first time before the Community Singing in the Church.

Also bestowed with the task of lighting up Innerleithen were this year’s Dux Boy Drew Lobb, Dux Girl Anna Leckie and Lantern Bearer Rory Smith.

This was followed by the Round Table Santa and the Silver Band, who travelled along the High Street before taking part in carol singing in the church.

Organiser Gen Harrison, from Switched On Innerleithen said: “Thank you to over 30 shops and businesses in the town who came together to open and to all you lovely people who braved such a cold, crisp day to come out to support them.

“It is so good to have our admirable range of wares on show to remind people what is available when they ‘shop local’.

“We were incredibly excited to be visited by three of Velvet Hall’s Alpacas who wowed in the garden of the St. Ronan’s Hotel. At the same time their fleece was being expertly spun during demonstrations at Last Century Books and knitted at Buttercup Studio. A heartfelt thank you and a warm hug to everyone who took part on Sunday.”