Penryn's mystery guest was revealed on Saturday night when Peter Stevens, long time resident of the town and former traffic warden, found himself in the spotlight.

Mr Stevens, now 81, joined former mayor and chairman of the town's Christmas lights committee, Mark Snowdon, in front of the crowds who had gathered outside the Methodist Chapel for the official switch on of this year's lights displays.

The festive fun had begun earlier in the evening when Santa's grotto was unveiled at Tanya Courage Trust's charity shop. Frozen favourites Olaf and Elsa were on hand to officially open the grotto which was soon filled with children keen to meet Santa and collect an early Christmas gift.

Santa will be back in his grotto between noon and 4pm on each Saturday leading up to Christmas and will have a gift for every child who visits.

Saturday night's festivities continued with the children's lantern parade, led by Porthleven Town Band, which made its way from the Memorial Gardens up to the Methodist Church where the official duties were carried out and the lights illuminated.

There followed performances of carols and Christmas songs by Penryn Primary Academy's choir, accompanied by the band, and The Chorus, Viva Voce, the Suitcase Singers, Co-Act and Embrace.