CHESTER'S big Christmas lights switch-on may have been missing a big celebrity presence this year but it didn't stop hundreds of people turning out for this week's bash.

Scores of people gathered in Town Hall Square on Tuesday night for the event which was to be headlined by chart-toppers Right Said Fred who cancelled their date at the last minute.

But organisers were determined to make the night a success and roped in a few tribute acts to support four members from the cast of the Chester-based soap Hollyoaks.

They were joined by bands Supersister and DJs Phats & Small who headlined this year's event.

Supersister singer Louise Fudge, whose family still lives in Ledsham, was delighted to be back in her home city to help with the big switch-on for the second year running.

However, Louise, one third of the all girl group, spoke of her disappointment at the low sales of their release Summer Gonna Come Again.

Released in the shops last Monday, the band's third single after Coffee and Shopping charted at No 51. This was despite high profile appearances on GMTV, showcasing the song while on a UK tour with Hear'Say and having the video for the single on heavy rotation on the music TV channels.

'It is because Woolworths did not stock our song and Woolworths account for about 40% of all single sales,' explained Louise who, ironically, was taking part in a lights switch-on show sponsored by Woolworths.

Even so, Supersister are already looking forward to their next assault on the charts which has been written by the people behind Kylie Minogue number one smash Can't Get You Out Of My Mind.

'Our album has been pushed back a bit to about February, but Supersister is still going really strong,' said Louise.

'If we had been with other record companies, they might have dropped us by now, but our company has real faith in us.'

The group spent 20 minutes posing for photos and signing autographs for fans inside the Town Hall where they escaped the cold with hot cups of coffee.

They were followed by a group of actors from Chester-based TV soap Hollyoaks including actor Marcus Patric, who plays Ben, enjoying his first switch-on event since joining the show last year.

After that came Phats & Small who whipped up the crowd with their songs Turn Around andFeel Good.

Performing earlier were pop outfit N-Trance and Ronan Cheating aka 17-year-old Nick Turner who is a tribute act to the former Boyzone star.

The event was kicked off by Queen Rocks ­ Maybe?, the Queen tribute band.

David Atkinson, events co-ordinator for Chester City Council, said everyone was pleased with this year's event including the police who reported no trouble on the night.