More than 50,000 people gathered in central London to watch pop stars McFly turn on the Regent Street Christmas lights.

The foursome did the honours at 6.50pm from a stage set up at the junction of New Burlington Street and Regent Street.

Bass guitarist Dougie Paynter said: "It was awesome and there was so many people there to see it."

He added: "So many great people have done it before. When we did it there was a plaque saying who had done it in the past and there was people like Sir Anthony Hopkins and members of the Royal Family.

"I think the lights are going to look really cool."

Thousands of small energy-efficient lightbulbs have been used to design the lights which are based on the theme of stars.

The tradition of switching on the Christmas lights dates back to 1954 and previous guests invited to turn them on include Diana, Princess of Wales, pop star Kylie Minogue and jockey Frankie Dettori.

McFly begin a UK and Ireland tour on Friday in Sheffield and will release their next single, backing the Children in Need appeal, on November 24.

Dougie said: "We have been on the show before a few times and we opened it last year I think, but doing the single is another honour."

The double-A side features the track Do Ya, from their current album Radio:ACTIVE, and a cover version of The Faces' Stay With Me.