THERE was plenty of Christmas spirit in Cowdenbeath with a party atmosphere and Santa turning up to switch the lights on.

There was fun and entertainment throughout Saturday as young and old geared up for the festive season.

A spokesperson for the Cowdenbeath Civic Week team said: "We had the two events on the same day, with the children's Christmas party at the leisure centre and then the Christmas lights switch-on.

"It went very well. It was hectic and you're always on tenterhooks but when you get good feedback and see smiles on faces it makes it all worthwhile.

"It's a small team. We're all volunteers, we all work and have our own families so it was good that all that hard work paid off."

She said: "The party was a sell-out with 200 kids and their parents and carers, there was Santa's Grotto, a children's entertainer, there were games and karaoke, bouncy castles, they all got a selection box and it finished up with a Santa conga!

"We had around 15 pupils from Beath High who all got right into it and dressed up, we had P7 kids from Foulford who were the elves in Santa's Grotto and a young lad from St Columba's.

"They all supported us and we couldn't have done it without them.

"We got really positive feedback from all the parents and carers, saying what great young people they are. They really were superb."

She continued: "We were delayed a wee bit on High Street by the freedom protest as they were where we had planned to be and didn't look like budging, but it all came together.

"We had local singers Jimmy Jack and Jackie Jarrett from 4 to 7pm and we had brilliant support from Williamson's Haulage, a Cowdenbeath firm, who decorated the sleigh and provided the lorry to take Santa up and down High Street.

"Santa turned the lights on in what we call Green Square and the community council and their lights group have done a great job."

The team will take a well deserved break before returning next year.

The spokesperson added: "We're always on the lookout for more volunteers.

"We'll take a wee break, re-group in the New Year and start planning for our first gala since before the pandemic!"