Hitchin's The Puppet Company supports the Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On

The spectacular Hitchin Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On in the town centre is a very popular family event, so it was appropriate that a well-known local family business, The Puppet Company, was this year's sponsor.

Sue Lockey (who founded the company with her late husband Peter nearly 25 years ago), her daughter Katy and her son Joe were at the event, handing out Christmassy puppets to the kids and joining the Visit Hitchin float during the parade. Even Sue's grandchildren helped out – when they weren't busy enjoying the bands, singers and dancers that kept everyone entertained for the whole afternoon and well into the early evening.

In fact the team from The Puppet Company went much further, many of them getting dressed up for the occasion: Joe, the company's technical director, wore a snowman costume and the warehouse manager Dave appeared as a Christmas cracker, while a group of friendly elves bore a strong resemblance to the sales team.

But the highlight was none other than Sue herself as Mrs Christmas, greeting visitors to the popular event with help from some of her company's world-famous puppets.

Sue says: "As a proudly Hitchin born and bred company we were delighted to support event organiser Visit Hitchin on what was a fantastic day out for all the family. I had a wonderful time – and I think Mrs Christmas loved it too!"