Hundreds of fans turned up and screamed with delight as the Walford hardman flicked the switch at County Mall on Thursday night (November 19).

Last year another Albert Square playboy Jake Wood, who plays love rat Max Branning did the honours, but Steve reckoned he was up to the job.

Speaking before the big switch on he said: "I'll do it better, me and Jake are old mates, I knew him when he was 15.

"But when it comes to switching on Christmas lights, I'm in a different league."

The sucessful evening saw County Mall booming, and a campaign spearheaded by the Observer and its sister paper the Crawley Times is urging people to carry on in the festive spirit and support our shops.

The scheme, developed alongside Crawley Borough Council and the Crawley Town Centre Partnership, is out to save the town's shops after some of its best loved stores were caught out by the recession.

As part of the campaign we'll be showcasing everything that Crawley has to offer to bring the Christmas season to life for its residents, so check the Observer for what's on this week.