CHRISTMAS is coming! Hundreds of children from across York joined Santa Claus in St Sampson's Square to celebrate the advent of the festive season - as the city's Christmas lights were switched on.

Yesterday saw the launch of the council's Children's Christmas Fayre - the first event of its kind in the city.

And York's lights were finally turned on, after thousands of pounds were donated by the York Conservation Trust and organisers Lumalite at the 11th hour.

But a traditional large-scale Christmas lights "switch-on" could not be organised because of financial problems. Instead, lights were turned on without ceremony at noon.

About 250 youngsters from Fishergate and Park Grove Primary Schools turned out in distinctly wintry temperatures to take part in the launch of the Children's Fayre, which is running throughout this weekend.

They munched their way through a "healthy" barbeque provided by North Yorkshire County Caterers, the firm which provides most of York's school meals.

Musical pupils from Manor School's Jazz Band entertained crowds of hundreds with a medley of Christmas songs, before youngsters joined in a carol sing-a-long.

Santa Claus himself - courtesy of the Rock Church - put in an appearance during the afternoon, handing out Nestl gift bags full of sweets to the hundreds of excited children.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Janet Greenwood, also took part in the day's fun.

Elenid Davis, city centre events co-ordinator for the council, said the fayre had gone "really well."

"It was very, very cold, but at least it wasn't raining," she said.

"It was a really nice atmosphere. We didn't want to do anything too big and too flash - we wanted to keep it quite local.

"The Children's Fayre is going to be an annual fayre. I know a lot of people will be disappointed there wasn't a big switch-on - but it is expensive."

A host of events are being put on as part of the children's fayre in Parliament Street between 9am and 5pm this weekend, including a traditional fairground and about 30 stalls for youngsters.

Updated: 09:18 Saturday, November 19, 2005