FESTIVE lights burst into life in Crewkerne on Friday night as the town celebrated its Christmas extravaganza.

In Falkland Square, there were various charity groups and organisations running stalls to raise funds as well as the Scouts selling hot chestnuts and baked potatoes.

There was also a hog roast, which Barrett’s the Butchers donated £100 to the Christmas Committee, and treasure hunt in the library.

Market Square played host to market stalls and in the Victoria Hall there was the ever popular craft fair with more than 20 stalls selling a wide variety of goods from jewellery to Christmas decorations to sewn and knitted goods.

Steve Carpenter was on stage at 6pm with the Mayor, Cllr Robin Pailthorpe, the Town Crier David Craner, and Jo Hampshire from the Red Cross shop to judge the children’s Christmas Hat competition.

Members of Crewkerne United Dramatic and Operatic Society led the traditional community carol singing and Merriott Majorettes performed as they preceded Santa’s sleigh along Market Street and into the Square.

When Santa reached the stage it was time for the countdown to the switch on, by which time there were well over 1,000 people cramming the Market Square.

Annette Roffey, of Crewkerne Christmas Committee, said: “It really has been a huge success and we would like to thank them all the volunteers who helped.”