A NUMBER of people said they were left "disappointed" at the lack of a special guest to turn on the Christmas lights in Worcester city centre on Thursday.

But it has been revealed that in future a celebrity visitor may be a possibility as more space becomes available in the city centre.

People took to the Worcester News' Facebook page following the live coverage of the lights switch-on to complain once the big red button had been pushed — by the Mayor of Worcester, councillor Alan Amos, and Santa Claus.

But after announcements having been made on Youthcomm Radio, who were organising the switch on alongside Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, that a "surprise special guest" was going to turn the lights, people complained that they had "been let down".

Hopes that X Factor finalist Chloe Jasmine was going to switch on the lights were dashed when she got stuck in traffic and was unable to make the event.

Jane Brooks said: "Bit of a slap in the face for people who turned up expecting to see a real "special guest," while Melissa Poole said: "I have three disappointed and bored kids."

Kate Wilkinson said: "We were pretty disappointed too...the 'special guest' was a huge let down and so were the lights.

"Seeing the town Christmas lights was great as a child as there were loads and they looked lovely. Now, they're sparse and boring with no 'wow factor' at all."

However, not everyone was disappointed.

Kels Tidderz commented: "I think Santa is a special guest. My kids were pleased and Youthcomm Radio did really well entertaining the public, it was the public that were quiet at times. I don't know what people were expecting really, it's not like there's going to be a big bang or anything — it's lights being switched on."

Helen Mole, head of events at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said:

"The issue has always been about space available. Worcester does not currently have an open space suitable for a very large crowd. The crowd on Thursday night was huge and the High Street could not have fitted a much bigger one in and that was with only a rumour of a celebrity. If the organisers were to put a bigger name in to switch on, there would be problems with capacity and public safety. In future this might not be an issue as the forthcoming Cathedral Square should be capable of holding large events like this.

"What we would say is that Santa is coming to town on Sunday in CrownGate which will be a really great experience for the kids.

"The lights look lovely on the High Street.

"In terms of the mystery guest, event organisers in partnership with Youthcomm Radio were assured that Chloe Jasmine was going to come. But we found out about an hour before switch on that she wouldn't be coming, so we had to rearrange the schedule. It's unfortunate but that does happen.

“It is a real shame she couldn’t come in the end — especially if people had heard the rumours but that was exactly why the chamber didn’t name names because we know how their schedules can be changed at the last minute. “

Muff Murfin, a consultant at Youthcomm, said: "We didn't announce who our special guest would be because we weren't sure — we had assurances from someone that they would be coming but unfortunately they let us down. But our special guest was going to be Father Christmas before that anyway. We thought it was a fantastic night, and it really was great for a free event especially."