About 500 hardy people turned out in Keswick tonight as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on live on television.

Bad weather may have forced the night’s festivities to be cut short and some activities cancelled but that did not stop crowds gathering in Market Square and Packhorse Court to herald the start of the festive season during BBC One’s Children in Need event.

While one planned stage in the Market Square had to be scrapped because of high winds, there was entertainment on the main stage from Carlisle Jazz Band and the Committed2Rock choir.

A planned marquee in Packhorse Court was replaced by an empty shop unit, which hosted hours of music from a range of local groups, including children’s choirs and Keswick Amateur Operatic Society.

A dog mascot promoted Keswick’s recent award as Britain’s most dog-friendly town.

The lights were switched on in Packhorse Court first.

At 6.50pm attention turned to the Market Square as Keswick Rotary Club president Graham Thompson switched on the Lake District Tree of Light.

Soon afterwards, as Keswick hit TV screens across Cumbria and the North East, 10 children helped lead a countdown before Pudsey Bear pressed the button and lit up the town for the Christmas season, joined by presenters from BBC Look North and BBC Radio Cumbria.

Town crier Bob Bryden then rang in the season.

The evening followed a day of quick changes and rearranging for event organisers following wet and windy weather and a poor forecast.

Catherine Howe, administration officer at Keswick Town Council, said: “Everybody involved has done the best they can. Unfortunately the Lake District weather has let us down.

“A massive thank you to those who came out for the support.”

Barbara Carter, 67, of Rogerfield, was one of the amateur operatic society members performing in Parkhorse Court.

She said: “It’s great for Keswick to be on the television. It would have been a shame if people hadn’t come out.”

The wind forced the postponement of the prepared children’s lantern parade, with plans being put in place to hold it in the coming weeks.

David Burn, town councillor and event co-ordinator, said: “It’s been a big disappointment that we’ve had to scale it down.

“We’ll get the kids on another day so their efforts and enthusiasm aren’t wasted.

“The day itself has gone well considering what we have had to do today.”