MARTIN Clunes pulled the switch to once again light up Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

The gardens’ Enchanted Illuminations event was launched tonight with a charity preview in aid of Weldmar.

The sell-out event was attended by 350 people who watched Mr Clunes pull the switch before getting a first look around the gardens.

The popular event sold out five weeks in advance with money from it going to Weldmar.

The crowd gathered at the gardens to enjoy some refreshments and music as they keenly awaited Mr Clunes’ appearance.

Mr Clunes was joined by members of the Buckham Fair committee, his wife Philippa and of course, his dogs to pull the switch.

As well as switching on the lights, Mr Clunes presented a cheque to Weldmar for the £90,000 raised by this year’s Buckham Fair.

Once the lights had been switched on, The Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin star and his canine friends joined the gathered crowds for a quick look at the lights.

Speaking to the Echo, Mr Clunes said: “I’ve done this a few times now.

“It’s always nice coming here. Everyone loves Weldmar, they really do and they all support it.

“The little bit of the lights I saw was very impressive, I think they’ve upped the ante again.”

Mr Clunes was more than happy to sign autographs and take pictures with fans and even had a go on the tombola, but sadly was not a winner.

On his way out, he was even handed a wooden reindeer to take home as a memento.

Speaking about the event, Diane Bentley from Weldmar, said: “It’s absolutely magical.

“It’s a magical little evening, it’s just a really nice evening.

“It’s good just to be able to tell people about Weldmar and the events like this that are going on.

“It’s just a really lovely enjoyable evening for the whole family really.

“He (Martin Clunes) is a really big supporter, it’s good to have him here.”

Matt Smith, community and events fundraising manager at Weldmar, thanked the gardens for their “phenomenal” support when addressing the crowds.

From tomorrow (Thursday) visitors will be able to see the gardens bathed in colour from an array of floodlights and stroll pathways lit by candles.

The gardens open at 10am each day of the event and stay open until 8.30pm until October 30.

The magic happens with the big switch-on at dusk each day.

On October 27, 28 and 29 there will be Family Fright Nights with ghost train rides, a witch’s coven and a zombie dance display.