GOLDEN Square's Christmas lights have come to life in the town centre's first virtual switch-on ceremony.

The shopping centre teamed up with former Hollyoaks star Darren Jeffries and his Ludovico Studio to film hundreds of Warrington schoolchildren singing.

Inspired by the Will Ferrell film, Elf, the youngster's voices 'powered up' the Christmas lights which were illuminated at 6pm today, Friday.

Ian Cox, Golden Square director, said: "This year has been a difficult and challenging year for many families in Warrington. The impact Covid-19 has had on our communities has been immeasurable and our children have been real unsung heroes with how they have coped throughout this unsettling and turbulent time.

"Due to the current circumstances, like many towns and cities across the UK, Golden Square had to make the difficult decision to cancel our annual Christmas light switch-on event in its usual format.

"But we will be doing something very special involving hundreds of school children across Warrington, and hopefully the rest of Warrington will join in too to make it extra special.

"We still wanted to celebrate the magic of Christmas for the families in our community and were inspired by the Christmas film loved by many, Elf.

"Buddy the Elf spends his time inspiring others to believe in the magic of Christmas, with the best way to spread Christmas cheer of course being singing loud for all to hear.

"We reached out to all our Warrington schools to see if they would help us on this quest. So to power up the Golden Square Christmas lights this year we are going to use Christmas spirit."

Children from St Bridget's, Sacred Heart, Barrow Hall, Latchford St James, Bewsey Lodge, Birchwood C of E, Christ Church Padgate, Newchurch Primary, Oughtrington Primary, Penketh South Primary, St Albans Catholic Primary, St Peters Catholic primary, St Thomas' Stockton Heath, Statham Community Primary, Winwick C of E and Woolston Primary were all involved in the heartwarming project.