Preston City Council may have decided to spend extra money on this years Christmas street lighting – but only if they could send a message to the public at the same time.

It seems their anti-litter campaign doesn’t stop during the Christmas period, as the Christmas lights feature the symbol of someone putting some rubbish in a bin.

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On Saturday 21 November Preston’s Christmas lights were switched on.

A week before, a ferris wheel was erected in the Flag Market in the city centre. On Thursday it opened to the public. It spins pretty fast.

I went around the wheel during the day and night – it rained on both occasions – thankfully the capsules were enclosed. Oh wait – they’re not.

Despite the poor weather large crowds still gathered on Saturday in the city centre. Huddled in front of Real Radio’s stage, acts such as Hollie Steel, Mini Viva and some local bloke with a guitar provided entertainment for the night.

Jamie ‘Afro’ Archer came on stage and don’t think quite realised that the public voted him out of the X-factor. It was quite tempting to chant: “You’re not singing any more”

He ripped out an (average) version of Mr.Brightside before turning into his pub singer roots by informing the crowd their sex was on fire. Family day out anyone?

All the entertaining guests gathered on stage and the countdown for the lights began: 10…9…8….7 – I suddenly had a panic attack believing I was spending my new years in Preston…

But thankfully not.

6…5…4…

Why am I counting down with everyone?

3…2…1…

The Christmas lights ironically came on before the people on stage could even flip the switch – suggesting the acts booked for the event couldn’t even be trusted with the simplest of tasks – and there was actually no point in booking them anyway.

The lights gave the public a second of two of awe until they realised it was pretty much the same as last year – and off they trudged – completely ignoring the feeble fireworks which went off behind a tree which couldn’t be seen anyway.

This is a guest post by Tom Bryan. He is studying Broadcast Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire.