Rain doesn't dampen shoppers' eve

Shops stayed open late for customers to get in early Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere.

There were stalls of delicious smelling hot food, kids’ rides including tea cups and trampolining, a kids’ fun house, sweet shops, fun fairs games and stalls selling jewellery, bags, clothes, cheeses and more.

The event centred on a huge, blue-lit tree with a live band playing festive tunes below.

Cancer Research UK said: “We had lots of people in and it went really well.

“It was great for business and the atmosphere in the shop was so good.”

Katherine Jackson from Teddy’s Café said: “It was a really good night. We completely sold out of all our hot treats.

“We also had the café open and we were serving hot drinks, scones, and cakes. It was really very successful.”

Beth Horton of Apres Chocolat said: “It was very busy and very successful. It was a shame about the weather, and although it was quiet early on, it quickly picked up.”

Organiser of the event David Steadman said: “We could have had better weather, the rain was a shame. But in spite of that, lots of people turned up, there was a great atmosphere.

“It would have been nice to have more businesses open but you can’t force people to open, you just hope they will.

“The music was the highlight and seeing so many people turn up even though it was a very wet start to the evening.

“I would say several hundred came to celebrate the occasion.

“This year was better than previous years as we held it on a Friday rather than in the week so more people came and more families came, too.

“It really is a great opportunity for families to celebrate at this time of year.

“I think the vast majority of people enjoyed it and traders at the market reported that they did well.”