CORONATION Street bad girl Tracy Barlow helped attract the largest turnout at Yate Shopping Centre in recent years when she flicked the switch for the town's first ever Christmas lights turn-on.

Thousands of children and late-night shoppers crowded into the shopping centre's four walks last night to see actress Kate Ford switch on the town's festive lights.

All the centre's car parks filled up and the town's surrounding roads reached gridlock as rush hour clashed with an estimated 3,000 people travelling to the event, despite the chilly weather.

Inside the centre, all four walks were packed as people squeezed in to see Kate carry on the shopping centre's proud connection with The Street', which started when Pat Phoenix opened the shopping centre in 1965.

Just before turning on the lights, with support from GWR's Bush and Troy, Kate said: "It's my first time in Yate Shopping Centre and it's great to be keeping up the link with Coronation Street.

"I just want to thank everyone here for making me feel so welcome."

Families also enjoyed a magical parade featuring Father Christmas in a live reindeer-driven sleigh and drum majorettes.

And on stage, before the lights were turned on, waiting crowds watched a host of entertainers including an Elvis impressionist, singer Ravel Corden and carol singing by children from Raysfield School in Chipping Sodbury.

"It's the best turnout we've ever had," said shopping centre marketing manager Tracy King.

"Inviting Kate Ford along proved a real crowd puller, along with the parade and Bush and Troy.

"It was the town's first Christmas light turn-on so it was important we made it a special event."

Mayor of Yate Mike Robbins added: "I don't think I can believe how many people have come here tonight, what a turnout.

"Its been a real success in bringing the whole town together. I'm sure many of them will be coming back later for their Christmas shopping."

The shopping centre will be staying open every Thursday night up until Christmas and is expecting over a million shoppers to pass through by the end of the season.