Santa lights up a soggy Saturday on Town visit

However, the event, which took place in Market Square for the first time, received a mixed reaction from islanders, with many later taking to social media to say the advertising banners on the railings had blocked their children’s view of Santa.

Father Christmas, his chief elf and friends were led on a new route from the Model Yacht Pond to the square by the Boys Brigade Marching Band and the Rebellion All Stars cheerleaders.

Meanwhile, the hundreds of people awaiting his arrival in Market Square were entertained by live performances from the School of Popular Music and other festivities.

Father Christmas addressed the crowd from the Market Square balcony and turned on the much-awaited Christmas lights

Jax Robin, from the St Peter Port Christmas Lights Charity, said the lights played an important role bringing the festive spirit to Town.

‘I thought it went very well. I thought the tree looked absolutely amazing and the canopy of lights was fantastic,’ she said.

The event was promoted by Sure and organised on the day by the Young Business Group.

Although the Christmas Light Charity was not directly involved in the running of the switch-on, Mrs Robin acknowledged there had been some issues.

‘There are definitely lessons to be learnt for next year on better viewing of Santa and more children’s access to Santa,’ she said.

‘It was a pilot, so watch this space.’

The Young Business Group has set up a special post box on the porch outside Sure’s shop on the High Street, which will be there until Friday 10 December for children to post their letters to Father Christmas.