A TWO-year-old boy who has spent 90% of his life in hospital was cheered as he turned on the Christmas lights at Cheshire Oaks.

A huge festive sing-along got the Christmas season under way before George Johnson, from Wallasey, had the honour of turning on all 100,000 lights on the 90ft tree on Thursday.

George was joined by three other children from Bebington-based children’s hospice Claire House and TV talent vocal coach Yvie Burnett.

Yvie, who has trained Katy Perry, Leona Lewis and Rebecca Ferguson, led local choirs and thousands of visitors in the North West’s largest Christmas sing-along in aid of the hospice.

Brain Handley, centre manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: “The lighting of the Christmas tree and centre lights always heralds the start of Christmas here at Cheshire Oaks. Over the next six weeks we expect to see approximately one million people visiting.”

Jordan Lodge, 11, from Liverpool, who attends Claire House Children’s Hospice, helped to switch on the lights.

He said: “It was so exciting to be part of this event, I loved the sing-along and it was so fun to meet Yvie.

“All of us at Claire House are really happy to be here and we would like to say thank you to everyone who made this evening happen.

“I think the tree and the lights look beautiful too.”

Radio City 96.7 presenters Jay and Claire from hit breakfast show Rossie and Co compèred the event.

Members of local choirs including the BBC’s Manchester Airport Choir, The Chester Songbirds and A Handbag of Harmonies performed Christmas hits such as Winter Wonderland, Rocking around the Christmas Tree and Merry Christmas Everyone.

The climax of the evening was the tree lighting and fireworks.

Yvie added: “I’ve had so much fun with the crowd and the kids from Claire House.

“I’m really impressed with the quality of the North West singers and think they must be Britain’s most tuneful region.”