A CROWD of hundreds turned up last Friday to catch a glimpse of Big Brother winner Craig Philips as he turned on the Winsford Christmas lights.

The former builder bounced on stage and whipped the crowd into a frenzy - almost overshadowing the two other celebrities who had come to town.

Comedian Jimmy Cricket joined Coronation Street's Pat the Builder, alias Tony Barton, on stage but Craig was the star of the show.

And one woman was so overcome by the moment that she streaked across the town centre in Craig's honour.

Craig shot to fame this year after taking part in Channel Four's version of the worldwide hit show Big Brother, scooping the £70,000 prize - and then giving it away.

New shopping centre manager Janet Sheard said: "For a fairly small town the lights were excellent and a great deal of effort was gone to, to put the Christmas in Winsford."

Not content with getting Big Brother's Craig Philips to switch on the Christmas lights, Winsford shopping centre management grabbed a second coup - an exclusive playing of Craig's first single.

This time last year Craig Philips was unknown, but thanks to a show called Big Brother he has shot to super-stardom.

And he received the welcome of a true super-star from the people of Winsford as he bounced on stage to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

Hundreds had turned up to catch a glimpse of the former builder from Liverpool and he did not disappoint with scenes that would have made the Beatles proud in the 60s.

New shopping centre manager Janet Sheard said: "It was absolutely mad - but great, great fun.

"It was my first one here in Winsford and I thought it went very well. It was certainly well attended and everyone seemed to be having a really good time."