A LARGE crowd of about 300 people turned out on Friday evening at Builth Wells, despite the cold weather, to see the nation’s favourite farmer - Gareth Wyn Jones of BBC fame - from North Wales switch on the new tree lights around the Groe.

After touring the town centre of Builth Wells he arrived in a sleigh with Father Christmas, who went on to distribute free gifts to over 200 children. They were accompanied by the town’s Mayor, Cllr Gwyn Davies, who provided the children’s free gifts for the event.

The Builth Wells Ladies’ Choir, under the leadership of its musical director Ionwen Davies, provided a musical background to the evening.

The town’s bull statue had a new wooden sleigh decorated with lights which was created by a band of local volunteers in which many of the children played during the event.

The event was such a great success thanks to all the volunteers and helpers that it is hoped to make it an annual event in the town.