TWO Hollywood stars took a break from shooting scenes for their forthcoming film to switch the Christmas lights on in Letchworth GC on Saturday.

Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz stars, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, joined hundred of people to kick off the festive season.

The duo who are currently in the town working on The World’s End, due to be released next year, thanked the people of Letchworth GC for helping them turn the Garden City into a film set for three weeks.

Two lucky children, Leon Woolcott aged seven and Roisin Kennedy aged nine were selected in a competition to join the actors on stage for the big switch-on, which was followed by a firework display.

Filming for The World’s End has been taking place in Letchworth GC since mid-November and is scheduled to end this week.

Town centre manager, Lee Boswell, said: “It’s fantastic that Simon and Nick have been able to help Letchworth celebrate Christmas in this way.

“The entire production crew have been working hard to minimise disruption and this is a great way to say thank you to the people of Letchworth Garden City.”

Cllr Lynda Needham, leader of North Herts District Council, said: “We’ve worked closely with the filmmakers to make it possible for them to work in Letchworth, and they wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who lives and works in the town.

“It’s great that the stars of the film have taken time out of their schedule to come along and help switch on this year’s lights.”

The Christmas lights switch-on event is organised by the Love Letchworth team, with the lights provided by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and Garden Square Shopping Centre, and supported by North Herts District Council.

Click on the link in the top right-hand corner to see a gallery of pictures.