Johnstone lights up for the festive season

Johnstone’s Houstoun Square was transformed in to a winter wonderland on Saturday afternoon as the Christmas lights were switched on in the town.

Johnstone Sound hosted a main stage in the bandstand packed with local entertainment to get everyone in the festive mood.

There was fun for all the family with the St Vincent’s Hospice Christmas market, silent discos and a funfair to keep the thrill seekers busy.

Santa made an appearance to find out what the children of Johnstone are hoping to find in their stockings this year, and Active Communities hosted children’s activities in their new hub at Station Seven.

At 5pm Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron was joined by competition winner, Alexander from Houston Primary School, to push the button and light up Johnstone.

She said: “It’s been another great event and I was so pleased to see so many people come out to celebrate the season with us.

“The town is really sparkling this year and it was great to have Alexander helping me turn on the lights.”

This year’s event took place on Small Business Saturday and Provost Cameron also helped draw the winners in the Spend Local Giveaway before the big switch on – with eight winners taking home £250 worth of vouchers to spend in local participating businesses.

There’s still plenty of festive cheer to be found in Renfrewshire with a month-long Christmas celebration running in Paisley until Friday 30 December.

For more information on Paisley’s Christmas visit www.paisley.is