The Mayor of Harpenden said she had "never seen so many smiles" as footballer Jack Wilshire switched on Harpenden’s Christmas lights.

An estimated 2,000 people pulled on their waterproof clothes to soak up the festive cheer and watch the England midfielder bathe the town in the glow of thousands of fairy lights on Sunday.

The Arsenal star hauled himself off the treatment table after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday’s defeat to Manchester United. 

Mayor Mary Maynard hailed Mr Wilshire and the scores of volunteers who worked all day in the rain to ensure the annual Christmas Carnival went ahead.

She said: "It’s run by volunteers and there were people out at 6am to ensure it went ahead, so thank you to them. It was a magical event.

"We were sweating a little in the morning due to the rain, as we were worried the volunteers might not turn up - but they did - and Jack picked up an injury Saturday and was still in physio on Sunday morning.

"His leg was in a cast and he had a group of friends to help him on to the stage but he’s a local hero and wanted to be here. The look on his little boy’s face when the lights went on was wonderful."

Mr Wilshire was joined on stage for the switch on by Katherine Pike, 8, who won the Town Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition.

The mayor revealed she was crossing her fingers it all went alright on the night following a few technical difficulties with the lights.

She said: "We’ve had a few issues with them but everything came on, thankfully. When the tree went on there were a number of ‘ahs’ from the crowd. I’ve never seen so many smiles on people’s faces."

The carnival kicked off at noon with a farmer’s market, young enterprise and charity stalls, a fun fair and refreshments.

Community groups including the Brownies and the Cadets took part in the parade as live performers on the main stage built up to the switch on in Church Green at 5pm.