Thousands of people enjoyed lots of festive fun at the charity event

Radio DJ and TV presenter Lisa Snowdon performed the big switch-on at a festive Marylebone High Street Christmas lights event.

Thousands of people filled the streets for the festival which raised money for the Rays Of Sunshine children’s charity.

The Britain’s Next Top Model presenter was joined on stage by Rays Of Sunshine wish children Hannah, 16, who suffers from the heart condition Ebstein’s Anomaly, and 11-year-old Ellie, who is awaiting a kidney transplant.

Ms Snowdon said: “Rays Of Sunshine is an inspirational charity which brightens up the lives of seriously ill children in the UK by granting wishes.

“It has been my privilege to meet some incredible young people through the charity and I’m so glad that Marylebone has chosen to help them this Christmas.”

Visitors were treated to performances by the Marylebone Rock Choir, Nathan Mercado and the Dunwell Brothers, as well as carols sung by local school choirs.

A number of shops had special offers for the day and there was even the chance to get an early Christmas present from Santa at his grotto.

The two winners of the Howard de Walden Christmas card competition were also awarded a big box of art goodies by the TV star and a blown-up version of their card.

Nine-year-old Jeanette Jones, from Abercorn School, and Samarh Sladiti, 11, of Queen’s College Prep School, were the two lucky winners.

Ross Mitchell, head of art at Abercorn, said: “The children love designing the cards, trying to incorporate the skills that we cover in the lesson time.

“I thought Jeanette’s image was lovely and a deserved winner, really showing the spirit of Christmas.”