HAY-ON-WYE was packed on Friday as Springwatch presenter Kate Humble turned on the Christmas lights.

The writer and broadcaster, who is also known for presenting Autumnwatch and Animal Park, pushed a special wooden plunger causing the town to flood with twinkling lights after she led a festive parade from the library to the market square.

Following an enthusiastic countdown by the TV celebrity and town crier George Tofarides, bright silver lights suddenly illuminated many town centre buildings leading to one of the main spectacles – a huge glowing red-and-gold bow.

Ms Humble, who is also a farmer, was joined on stage to initiate Hay’s festive proceedings by the former Hay Chamber of Commerce chairman John Evans, the current chairman Andrew Williams and media consultant Kenny Campbell.

The evening switch-on event at The Cheese Market kicked off the Christmas weekend, which also included Hay Festival’s Winter Weekend and the Winter Food Festival.

The TV star, who is also known for Lambing Live and Back to the Land, spoke about her new book Thinking on my Feet at the festival which is about the life-changing affects of walking.

She spoke on the Hay Festival Winter Weekend stage in the Festival Tent immediately after she had switched on the town’s lights.

Ms Humble said: “I was beautifully looked after when I limped into Hay with very bad blisters on my last trip, so by way of thanks, I am honoured and delighted to be switching on the Christmas lights this year.”

Around 9,000 people are thought to have attended the Winter Weekend, including the free lights switch-on event, which saw Christmas music from local choirs, mince pies, mulled wine and an appearance from Santa Claus.

The chairman of Hay Chamber of Commerce Andrew Williams said: “It was such an honour to have Kate Humble with us to switch on the Christmas lights.

“We aimed to put on a great evening to welcome her, with all the magic of our local choirs, mince pies and mulled wine, and a fantastic cross-section of local businesses offering their seasonal wares.”

The Hay Food Festival, organised by the catering manager at Three Cock’s Old Railway Line Garden Centre Andrew Powell, officially counted a footfall of around 4,500 food enthusiasts who came to sample the variety of produce from local food and drink businesses on the Friday evening and throughout Saturday.

The food festival, which included entertainment from Builth Ladies Choir, Brecon’s Alive and Kickin’ Choir and the Brecon Town Band, hosted 49 stalls in the Kingdom of Book’s Memorial Car Park.

Some of the stalls featured at the festival were Rhymney Brewery, Caroline’s Real Bread Company, Bedazzled Honey, Teirfi Cheese and Izzy’s Gluten Free Cakes.

Mr Powell, who also owns Brecon Beacons Food Festivals which hosts the Brecon Food Festival, said: “A big thanks to all the exhibitors for supporting Brecon and Hay Food Festivals.

“With 49 exhibitors present, many reported great sales with only a few being down on previous years.”

The Winter Weekend, which started last Friday and ended on Sunday, November 25, hosted workshops and talks from a variety of people from comedian Marcus Brigstocke to campaigner Ziauddin Yousafzai – the father of the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Following last year’s success, the Winter Weekend, which just completed its 19th year, incorporated a new 500-seater marquee in the Cattle Market along with venues across the town including the New Hay Primary School Hall, St Mary’s Church and Richard Booth’s Bookshop.