‘DISORGANISED’, ‘embarrassing’, ‘a shambles’, were just some of the words used by visitors to describe Festival Place’s Christmas lights switch-on.

As hundreds of people flocked to the shopping centre for the traditional lights switch on, scores were left feeling disappointed by the organisation of the event.

Once the lights were turned on, residents took to social media to air their frustration at what they are calling “poor organisation”.

Schoolchildren, who were also meant to be part of the parade, were left disappointed when they were “shepherded into a disused shop” and 'with no information passed on'.

Claire Boswell posted on The Gazette's Facebook page: “The organisers of this event let so many people down. Children were scared, crying and disappointed.

“None more so than Hatch Warren school. I feel guilty now that my children had such an awful evening when it is the organisers who should be feeling this guilty.”

Jo Vidler added: “It was awful. We’ve been every single year and if this is what is going to be like every year, then we won’t be going.

“No one on the stage knew what they were doing, and it was just a complete shamble.”

The frustration for visitors didn’t end there, as traffic getting out Festival Place was described as “a nightmare”.

Centre director at Festival Place, Neil Churchill, said: “This year’s Festival Place Christmas was planned to have a new focus with a parade event followed by six weeks of fun from the lights switch-on.

“The winter woodland launch was incredibly well supported by the local community, but that did make the centre very busy and some planned elements of the parade couldn’t happen – safety is always a priority.

“We were most disappointed that the children of Hatch Warren Infants School didn’t get to perform the routine they had worked hard on and are in touch with the headteacher to see how we can best make it up to them.”

“Festival Place is now decked out for the season, there’s a superb grotto for the little ones and lots more fun to come – we’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate all that we have to offer this Christmas.”