The excitement mounted, the crowds that packed into Parliament Street counted down, and finally we were Proud to be York at Christmas.

York's Christmas lights had their big switch-on last night, marking the culmination of many weeks of effort to make the seasonal illuminations the best yet seen in the city centre.

York panto stars Martin Barrass, left, and Berwick Kaler at the switch-on of the Christmas lights

Lord Mayor Coun Derek Smallwood could not disguise his pleasure as he mentioned in turn each street that now bathed in the glow of festive lights.

"It's all lit now, thank goodness," he said, after thanking all those who had contributed.

This year's lights had three funding sources - as well as Coun Smallwood's own appeal, individual streets across the city centre came up with £20,000 for their schemes, matched by £20,000 from City of York Council.

Coun Smallwood's appeal, launched with £1,000 from the Evening Press, raised a further £20,500 towards the spectacular show.

Contributors included BAA McArthurGlen, owners of the new discount designer outlet on the outskirts of York, Thrall Europa, bus companies First York and Arriva, the York and District Hospitality Association, Nestl Rowntree, Terry's Suchard and Marks & Spencer.

The illuminations in Parliament Street, which hung in strands tracing delicate lines of light around and between the trees alongside the pavements, won general approval from the massive crowd that thronged the centre.

"I think it's a lot better than last year," said Jane Bruce, of Malton Road, York. David and Jean Taylor from Rawcliffe Lane agreed, Mr Taylor saying they were "a big improvement" and adding: "They are super, they are very nice."

Visitors Phil and Anna Gospel from Hutton-le-Hole, on the North York Moors, were also impressed. "It's not over the top, but nice," said Mr Gospel.

But Debbie Leeming, from Heworth, was not bowled over. "It's no different to normal years," she said.

As well as the lights, Parliament Street saw entertainment from a fun fair, and the crowds joined in the Christmas spirit with seasonal songs.

There were attractions in other parts of the city centre too, such as King's Square, where the Minster Lions were busy raising cash for the Evening Press appeal for St Leonard's Hospice with the help of Santa's best helper, Rocking Rudolph.

Organiser Gordon Harrison said the evening had gone quite well despite being a little way from the "magnet" of Parliament Street. Pointing to a line of youngsters waiting to see Santa in his sledge behind his mechanical reindeer, he said: "The children have loved it".

Rudolph raised £240.63 for the appeal, to the delight of Mr Harrison.

The lights were switched on by a combined effort from Coun Smallwood, and two "little angels" - Hollie Condren, three, who lives off Leeman Road and is coming to terms with the death of her sister Chloe from cancer, and Sarah D'Elia, 15, from Rose Street off Haxby Road, who gives up her spare time to look after her autistic sister Gemma.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.