An electrical fault which scuppered the switch-on of community-funded Christmas tree lights as more than 1,000 who marked the start of the festive season in Wanstead. 

Representatives from High Street estate agents PettySon & Prestwich, assisted by contributor Phoebe Lyons, were due to turn on the lights at 4.30pm on Saturday.

But after a number of countdowns and false starts, the switch-on was abandoned. Engineers eventually fixed the lights, but the crowd had dispersed.

Before the technical problems, Riverside Brass Quintet performed and carols were sung by pupils from Wanstead Church School, in High Street, Our Lady of Lourdes School, in Chestnut Drive, and Churchfields Junior School, in South Woodford.

The lights were funded by businesses and residents after Redbridge council scrapped funding for a Christmas tree on George Green, citing funding cuts.

A crowdfunding page was set up to fund the tree, which hit its £3,000 target in less than a week.

Cllr Colin Cronin, of Snaresbrook ward, said: “The lighting failed initially so the switch-on had to be abandoned, but an engineer has sorted it out now.

“The event leading up to that time was fantastic though. There were well over a thousand people in attendance and it just shows the strength of community in Wanstead.

“Everyone joined in with singing choirs and there were some solo performances from the schools.”

A selection of tweets about the event: