The Northwood Hills community pulled together to enjoy their annual 'grand switch on' of Christmas lights, after heavy rain and wind threatened to cancel the evening.

Children from St John's School, Hillside Junior school, Harlyn Junior School, Northwood School and Haydon School all took part in a concert for the Mayor and Mayoress ahead of the countdown to the 'big switch on.'

Originally planned to be performed outdoors, Farefield Church Hall offered to lend a helping hand so the show could go on in the warm and dry, on Saturday, November 14.

Andrew Riley , Chairman of the Northwood Hills Residents' Association , thought the event turned out to be a 'great success' despite the setback.

He said: “We were taken in by Farefield Church Hall and it was a very very good concert.

“The Mayor was with us who gave a countdown from ten to one within Farefield so when [spectators] left, all the lights were on in the High Street.”

Cllr George Cooper, The Mayor of Hillingdon took centre stage in traditional garb before the big switch on.

The Mayoress, Cllr Judith Cooper, tweeted: “ Northwood Hills is a blaze of lights, so the Mayor got something right!”

The evening raised around £500 through a tombola and donation buckets, which will go to local charities and includes a donation to the Mayor's Charity.

Wetherspoons donated mulled cider for the adults, Tesco provided mince pies and over half of the shops and businesses in Joel Street, Northwood Hills , donated a Tombola prize.

Mr Riley said: “The event started out very small outside the station to an event which is eagerly anticipated by the community of Northwood Hills and it's something that we're very proud of.

“It takes a lot of organising and planning and showed how the community of Northwood Hills is trying to pull together.”