A seaside town has become the first in the country to switch on its Christmas lights in a bid to lift dampened festive spirits.
Illuminations lit up St Ives, Cornwall, on Wednesday several weeks earlier than usual as organisers wanted to bring light into a "gloomy year".
Permission was granted by the town's BID for an early switch on after a tradition where hundreds of people turn out to watch Santa arrive in the town by lifeboat had to be cancelled.
The organisers said: "The Christmas lights switch on will be very different this year, as we are sure everyone will understand.
"To aid social distancing we are going to provide a virtual switch on with a live feed on Facebook.
"This year is very different as everyone knows, and as volunteers we hope that the bits we have lined up that we are able to do in these difficult times, will bring some positive cheer over the next few months."
The switch-on ceremony was hosted virtually to aid with social distancing.
Members of the public were encouraged to tune in via a live Facebook link.
