The Rock Shopping Centre has lauded the Christmas lights switch-on event at the weekend, saying it was "a great day showcasing the very best of Bury".

Hundreds gathered at centre on Saturday for a community concert and the Christmas lights switch-on.

Gill Smith, David Yates, Jennifer Hindle and Jennifer Heywood were chosen to turn on the Christmas lightsGill Smith, David Yates, Jennifer Hindle and Jennifer Heywood were chosen to turn on the Christmas lights (Image: Supplied)

The honour of switching on the lights was given to four "local heroes"- Gill Smith, founder of Radcliffe Litter Pickers, David Yates, headteacher at Tottington High School, and Jennifer Hindle and Jennifer Heywood of Topping Fold Community Centre.

They were chosen following The Rock's campaign to find the right people for the job.

The concert, which took place from 3pm to 5pm, was organised by The Rock in partnership with Roch Valley Radio.

The shopping centre joined forces with Roch Valley Radio to pull together the festive eventThe shopping centre joined forces with Roch Valley Radio to pull together the festive event (Image: Supplied)

It featured performances from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop, Bury Music Service, and artists supported by Liv's Trust.

The event also included a teddy tombola and glitter tattoo station manned by Secret Garden – Hoyles Park, a partner charity of The Rock, which raised £392.

The event featured groups from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop, Bury Music Service and performers who have been supported by Liv’s TrustThe event featured groups from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop, Bury Music Service and performers who have been supported by Liv’s Trust (Image: Supplied)

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, centre director at The Rock, said: "This year’s Christmas concert was all about shining a spotlight on the people of Bury.

"From our local heroes to our local talent, our switch-on was a great day showcasing the very best of Bury.

The switch-on event was free to attend and marks the beginning of the Christmas season for The RockThe switch-on event was free to attend and marks the beginning of the Christmas season for The Rock (Image: Supplied)

The concert took place on a stage in St John’s Square, in front of The RangeThe concert took place on a stage in St John’s Square, in front of The Range (Image: Supplied)

"The event was a huge success and really does kick-start the Christmas trading period for The Rock.

"We are so grateful to everyone who was involved and helped make the day a success."

The Rock has announced it will host a free Santa’s Grotto from November 30 and the Rock Express land train will return in December.