It was the most wonderful night of the year for families in Port Glasgow on Wednesday.

Folk flocked to the annual Christmas lights switch-on and they weren't disappointed.

Pupils from local school choirs rose to the occasion and the Salvation Army struck a chord with their heart-warming hymns.

@greenocktele Port Glasgow celebrates its Christmas lights switch-on #christmas #xmaslights #localjournalism #festive #singing #choir ♬ original sound - Greenock Telegraph

(Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro)

OTHER NEWS: PICTURES: Gourock Christmas Lights Switch On

Reverend William Boyle, of Port Glasgow New Parish Church, who was compere, said: "There was a huge crowd which great, with the weather being so cold.

"It was a fantastic night, it was really good.

"We had school choirs from St Michael's, Newark, St John's, St Francis, Craigmarloch all singing carols.

"We also had the Salvation Army Band, while Santa and the gala king Aaron Arthur gala queen Oluwafikayomi Tafa switched on the lights."

(Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro)

William said this was the third time he'd been asked to compere and he says he is always delighted to do it.

He said: "I have been minister for four and half years and chaplain to so many different places.

"It is a really good community feeling and I spent quite a long time chatting to people.

"There were a lot of comments from people seeing starting to feel more Christmassy now the lights were switched on.

"There is such a good community spirit in the Port, people are so passionate about the town, we always get a great turnout and the school choirs did so well."

(Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro)

William was also full of praise for the man in the red suit who was superb.

The minister said: "Santa was great, he spent ages with the crowd, he must have spent 30 minutes in the big circle and engaged with all the families and taking selfies and handing out chocolates to the kids."