THOUSANDS of shoppers eagerly crammed into a busy Mill Gate centre to see Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh switch on the Christmas lights.

Bosses reckon that around 3,000 visitors turned up at the centre on Sunday for the ceremony.

Entertainment also included a performance by Glasgow-born singer songwriter Ann West and the staging of the Bury Idol competition. Organised by Key 103, budding singing sensations got the opportunity to perform ‘live’ in front of thousands of spectators.

But it was the appearance by ex-Hear’Say singer Kym, who plays Michelle Connor in the TV soap, which caused the most excitement. So large was the crowd that it stretched way beyond the lights switch-on point in Schorndorf Square.

Thousands of shoppers jostled to get a glimpse of the actress and afterwards she chatted to a number of fans as well as signing autographs.

It was an afternoon to remember for youngsters Olly, Ethan, Jordan and Hali Wilford who won a competition to meet Kym in person.

Mr Colin Nichol, Mill Gate centre manager, explained that a chance meeting led to Kym Marsh being chosen for the switch-on. “Sometime ago, my wife met her at a theatre and said how lovely a person she was.” he disclosed. “I approached Kym’s agency to ask if she’d be available. We got a really good response from our shoppers. I’d say more than 3,000 attended and the crowd extended to Union Arcade and down to The Haymarket.

“I think it was probably the best lights switch-on we’ve had. Kym is such a lovely person. It was a fabulous occasion. I’d like to thank all the shoppers and my staff who gave up their day to be there. The lights are the latest LED ones and are worth more than £100,000.” (Bury Times)