THIS year's Christmas Lights switch-on in Ledbury is being hailed as one of the most successful and best attended in recent years.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker said the town council, which organised the event for last Saturday, "did a really good job" and she added: "We are getting an awful lot of positive feedback".

This year, attractions were more evenly spread throughout the town centre, with medieval clashes by armoured knights in the Walled Garden, by the parish church, through to the Dickensian New Street, which involved street vendors and Morris dancing, and which encouraged people to dress up in Victorian clothes.

This popular attraction was actually organised by local traders.

Cllr Baker said: "I spent my time moving between the Market House, New Street and the Walled Garden. This year there was something for everyone."

Cllr Baker had special praise for the Bristol Boars medieval group, who put on full combat displays in the Walled Garden and allowed members of the public to try on armour.

There were also medieval tents selling everything from medieval trinkets to longbows.

And a costumed pilgrim, Steve Payne, selling jewellery, wandered around town and explained to local people how he was about to attempt an actual winter pilgrimage to holy sites in Wales, by travelling down the River Wye by coracle.

The day started well under clear wintry skies, and Santa arrived on cue at 1pm, to greet the crowds at the Market House before moving on to his grotto in the town council offices, where he handed out presents to youngsters.

Under the Market House, there were lively and well-received carols by the Ledbury Community Choir and Ledbury Community Brass Band.

The were also well-received dance performances under the Market House by the Ledbury Dance Company.

Before the actual switch-on, there was a dramatic torch-lit procession in the High Street, involving Morris men and people in period clothes.

Deputy mayor, Cllr Elaine Fieldhouse, sold decorated old CDs, so people could hang them as Christmas wishes on the town centre Christmas tree.

Money from this will go towards next year's Christmas lights.

Cllr Martin Eager, chairman of the town's Christmas lights committee said: "It was a good day, and everyone seemed happy, and there could well have been 1000 people in the High Street for the actual switch on of the Christmas lights by the mayor and the Carnival Princess."

Cllr Eager believes the gathering was on a par with the best attended years.

He said: "We had a huge turnout the year before last; but last year was wet. This year was one of the best years."

All pics by Gary Bills-Geddes, unless otherwise stated.