WORCESTER'S Victorian Christmas Fayre has started this evening with the traditional carol service, procession and Cornmarket carol service.

The town crier followed by carollers led the parade through the city, from a service at Worcester Cathedral to the Cornmarket car park.

Despite the rain, a big crowd gathered to sing along to Once in Royal David’s City and Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, played by the Salvation Army band.

After a short bible reading and prayer, Worcester's Mayor Allah Ditta gave a speech in which he described how the fayre annually gives a boost to the city economy and joked that sadly they could not control the weather.

He then declared the fayre – which traditionally signals the start of the festive season – officially open.

And in his full regalia the mayor, with other dignitaries, then enjoyed the traditional first ride on the carousel.

The Victorian fayre will run all weekend, coming to a close on Sunday.

On the first day city residents enjoyed shopping at the nearly 200 stalls, which are positioned throughout Worcester city centre including High Street and Friar Street.

Throughout the weekend there will be Victorian characters in Gin Lane, lofty entertainers on stilts, children carol singing on performance stages around the city centre and buskers on every street corner.

The fayre is in its 27th year, growing considerably since it first started in 1992 to become one of the biggest Victorian Fayre events in the country.

Annually it attracts more than 100,000 people across the four days, and is said to contribute around £7million to the local economy.