GIANT lanterns including newcomers in the shape of flamingos and a dinosaur helped bring the wow factor to Devizes Christmas light switch-on.

Thousands of people took to the streets on Friday evening to see hundreds of people of all ages carry imaginative lanterns of all sizes across town to the Market Place.

Leading the parade was Santa on a traction engine. He was joined by Mayor Nigel Carter who was also resplendent in his own red mayoral robe.

The only hitch came when Father Christmas led the count-down to the light switch-on and those on the giant tree in the Market Place and the nearby Market Cross failed to immediately come on.

But the rest of the lights around the town centre obediently sprang to life and a few minutes later a second countdown was rewarded with a spectacular fire work display.

A number of schools from Devizes and surrounding villages joined in the lantern parade with lights they had made at workshops. Included were children from Wansdyke Primary who used the Christmas Festival as inspiration for an art project and created a giant horse that was carried by pupils from Year 6.

More than 60 youngsters from the school took part either carrying individual lanterns or taking turns to carry the horse. Children from Trinity Primary, Southbroom, Nursteed, St Joseph's, Woodborough and Dauntsey Academy Primary were also in the parade.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts organised the evening with the backing of Devizes Town Council and other major sponsors. Artistic director Loz Samuels said: "It was another wonderful Lantern Parade, well done to the people of Devizes together we have a town to be proud of. It was a fantastic evening thanks to all those who made a lantern and joined in.

"Special thanks to all our Festival Makers, stall holders, Devizes Town Band, Devizes Town Council, Fantasy Radio and Devizes Taxis and Chris and Mick Davey who bought us our new dinosaur and flamingo lanterns."

Devizes Town Band played festive music and students from Circomedia in Bristol performed. Stalls selling a wide range of food and Christmas goodies in the Market Place and Corn Exchange added to the atmosphere.

There was a mixed reaction to Father Christmas doing the light switch-on from the ground rather than the roof of the lobby of The Bear Hotel with some people taking to social media to say their children did not get a good view.