AS performances go it was a cracker - and once again Buttons was the star of the show.

Panto star Brian Conley helped light up Southampton tonight with an impromptu stage show in the heart of the city centre.

He swept off stage following the first of two performances of Cinderella at the Mayflower Theatre to turn on the lights on Southampton's community Christmas tree.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the city was without a tree - much to the anger of many fed-up residents - with Southampton City Council saying it was too cash strapped to pay for one because of savage budget cuts.

Without a business improvement district (BID) up and running in the city there was also no way of co-ordinating funding from firms to help fund it and some decorations.

But after the Forestry Commission stepped in and offered a tree for free the Daily Echo issued a rallying cry for help to make it a reality - and boy did people respond.

In just one week, and only seven days before the big day, an army of workmen rallied and gave their time for free to help put it up.

Only 24 hours ago, funny man Brian then stepped in to add his touch of sparkle to the festivities.

Daily Echo:

Managing director  of Trethowans Simon Rhodes with Brian Conley and Daily Echo editor Ian Murray.

 

He had the crowds in stitches as he described being stood on top of a hastily arranged stage in front of the historic Bargate - and Poundland - as "the pinnacle of my career".

Heaping praise on the Daily Echo and all those who joined forces to help bring a tree to the city, donating money and their own time to make it happen, he said it showed the spirit of Christmas was alive in the people and the city.

But he was quickly back to his best, cracking jokes and giggling about the star perched on top of the 20ft tree drooping slightly in the gusts of wind before he greeted scores of fans and then dashed back to the theatre for the evening show.

Daily Echo:

ROLL OF HONOUR Southampton's Christmas tree would not have been possible without the help and goodwill of many local firms and individuals who donated time and/or money to make it a reality.

Thanks go to:

  • Southampton City Council's events and housing operations teams
  • Future Southampton - chairman Trevor Thorne and members
  • Trethowans Solicitors
  • Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Forestry Commission - Gary North and his team
  • R&W Traffic Management - Andy Hamilton and his Santa hat wearing helpers
  • Scottish Southern Energy and its team from lighting services at SSE Enterprise
  • Solent Power Systems Limited - Andrew Ferguson and his team
  • Elliotts Alden Ltd sheet metal contractors
  • S&K Scaffolding Ltd of Bartley
  • Southampton Solent University
  • WestQuay Shopping Centre