Hundreds of screaming young fans were there to watch as CBeebies’ star Rastamouse flicked the switch on Telford town centre’s Christmas lights.

Rastamouse and his crime-fighting sidekicks Scratchy and Zoomer turned on the festive lights in the shopping centre last night.

The trio, who are known in the cartoon world as special agents who solve mysteries and play in a reggae band, were joined by up and coming band Eli Prime.

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The boy band have been described as the ‘hottest act of the year’ and were the headliners on the main stage at the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham’s NEC ,where they performed in front of more than 200,000 people.

Children and parents were entertained with Eli Prime’s electro club beats and commercial pop before the town’s festive lights were turned on.

It was not only celebrities who took to the stage. Children from Lawley Primary School also performed for the crowds.

Kate Prentice, from the school, said: “The children had a wonderful time last night.

“We sung four songs, including Silent Night and the Lawley School song.

“We have done it for the past three years and every year it’s great.

“They had a fabulous time and sang like angels.”

Also on stage were a band of merry men from Telford’s main Christmas pantomime at Oakengates Theatre.

Some of the cast of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood took to the shopping centre’s stage.

The panto will run from December 8 to January 2.

The producers of the pantomime have said that this production has never been seen before.

There will be new characters, modern music and creative choreography, all combined with some familiar faces.

Of those familiar faces, there are two real characters who are back this year by popular demand – following their hilarious performance in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Comedy duo Francis and Wheatley raised the roof at Oakengates in their last pantomime appearance.

Tonight will see the Christmas lights turned on in Madeley, Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock and Shifnal.