function slideSwitch() {
    var $active = $('#banner-slides IMG.active');
    if ( $active.length == 0 ) $active = $('#banner-slides IMG:last');
    var $next =  $active.next().length ? $active.next()
        : $('#banner-slides IMG:first');
    $active.addClass('last-active');
    $next.css({opacity: 0.0})
        .addClass('active')
        .animate({opacity: 1.0}, 1000, function() {
            $active.removeClass('active last-active');
        });
}

$(document).ready(function(){
    $('#banner-slides IMG').css({opacity: 0.0});
    $('#banner-slides IMG:first').css({opacity: 1.0});
    var ss = setInterval( 'slideSwitch()', 8000 );
    var playing=true;
    $('#banner-slides').click(function () {
        if (playing) { clearInterval(ss); playing=false; }
        else { ss=setInterval( 'slideSwitch()', 8000 ); playing=true; }
    });
});