CHRISTMAS began with a bang in Farnham last Saturday as a fun-loving crowd joined in the countdown to the switching-on of the town's new festive lights.

Hundreds of people counted down from 10 as Farnham mayor Jeremy Ricketts, town crier Jonathan Jones and CBBC presenter Chris Johnson flicked the switch - followed by an explosion of stage fireworks and a shower of shiny paper.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.