An Elgin youngster managed to outshine Miss Great Britain and even Santa himself as the star of the town’s Christmas lights celebrations.
Emily Birnie was given the all-important job of pressing the button which set aglow more than £50,000 worth of festive decorations.
She was joined onstage for the event by Miss Great Britain, Ursula Carlton, who asked her about her Christmas plans.
The four-year-old’s face lit up along with the illuminations as they sparkled into life, and a massive cheer echoed around the town’s Plainstones from the thousands who had gathered for the ceremony.
Emily’s mum, Sharon Birnie, spoke of her pride after watching the Greenwards Primary School pupil’s big moment.
She said: “Emily did fantastically well, she really went for it and didn’t seem nervous speaking to such a big crowd.
“We visited the town centre a few times during the week to look at the lights and get her ready for switching them on.”
Miss Carlton, who is from Nairn, described her day in Elgin as “magical”.
She said: “What makes Christmas so special is the children, that’s what it is all about.
“I offered to help out today because, as Miss Great Britain, it’s important for me to highlight the amazing things going around in the area I belong to.”
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, Miss Carlton joined Father Christmas and his reindeer as they greeted visitors to the town centre and handed out sweeties.
The 26-year-old also visited several businesses and posed for photos with dozens of well-wishers.
The crowd swelled to thousands by 5pm, as the switch-on neared.
Pensioners and children alike wore Christmassy costumes as they mingled in the heart of the town.
After the lights were turned on, the Elgin Musical Theatre group sang a selection of traditional carols.
The event was organised by the Elgin Business Improvement District (Bid) group, and its manager said she was “blown away” by the day’s success.
Gill Neil said: “All the shops in the centre have been really busy, and we hope that will lead to return visits for Christmas shopping.”
Christmas lights celebrations also took place in Keith, Lossiemouth and Forres on Saturday.