THE Christmas festivities have started in Wellington with a day of celebration organised by the town council.

On Saturday (November 30), locals gathered in the town’s centre for a Christmas market and musical performances, as well as the much-anticipated Christmas lights switch on.

The large crowds enjoyed a variety of Christmas market stalls offering food and gifts before visiting Father Christmas in his grotto.

Somerset Youth Theatre, Raquel and Bob, the Ukes of Wellington, Blackdown Community Choir and Miss Ivy Belle provided music from midday, alongside performances from the Wellington Majorettes and the Wellington Prep and Court Fields School choirs.

The long-awaited result of the Christmas card design competition was announced later in the day, with Luna Alora crowned the winner Luna’s design will feature on the cards sent across the country by the Mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd this festive period.

At 6pm, Cllr Janet Lloyd and St John’s Primary School Head Boy and Head Girl, Reece and Izzy, joined the stage to switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

The Mayor said: "Well what can I say, it was a fantastic day with hundreds of people turning out during the whole day and evening. We had some great acts and entertainment, there was something to suit everybody.

“The shops and stall holders that I spoke to told me that they did very well. Apart from a couple of spots of drizzle, the weather held and we even saw the sun three times!!!

“Our two compères, Clinton Rogers and our Town Crier, were great and did very professional jobs. The special moment just before the lights were switched on by the Mayor and Reece and Izzy, the Head Boy and Head Girl from St John's Primary School, was the unveiling of the winning entry in the Mayor's Christmas Card competition and the winning design was produced by Luna Alora aged just six.

“My thanks go to the Town Council's staff who not only worked very hard on the day but in the months leading up to Saturday to ensure that everything went smoothly and to plan."