THIS year's Burn Christmas Lights switch on was overseen by a team set to row the Atlantic.

Yorkshire Rows, the four-woman trans-Atlantic rowing team, were presented with a commemorative tinsel-wrapped oar, a scroll and key and the title of ‘Honorary Sports Ambassadors of Burn’ when they switched on the village’s Christmas lights on Saturday.

The team, which includes members from North Yorkshire and Selby, aim to row 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre.

This year's switch-on celebration saw collections held for the charities, raising more than £200, and one regular at the village's Wheatsheaf pub pledged to donate £1 for every day the Yorkshire Rows are away.

The ceremony also included carols from members of Castleford Salvation Army Band, a Christmas message from the Reverend Linda Day, an address by Chris Phillipson, Burn Parish Council chairman and a visit from Santa.

Earlier in the day, Selby’s Rock Choir performed at Burn Methodist chapel, and a Christmas Market was held with the Christmas Tree Festival and refreshments from the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association.