Wanstead’s George Green provided a perfect Christmas scene on Friday as crowds gathered for the annual switch-on of the Christmas lights.

Pupils from Wanstead Church School in Church Path serenaded well-wishers who also enjoyed rousing music from a Salvation Army brass band.

Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Muhammed Javed switched on the lights on the tree.

Cllr Alex Wilson, of Wanstead ward, said: “It was lovely. It’s a very well supported event. There were probably even more people than last year, it seems to get bigger and bigger in terms of support.

The tree looks fantastic.”

The tree and lights are funded by the area one committee.