A stunning parade of lanterns lit up the night sky during Devizes Christmas Festival on Friday.

At the head of the parade was a life sized unicorn lantern made by artists Chris and Mick Davey of Great Cheverell, Oliver Freeman of Etchilhampton and Michael Maxwell of Little Cheverell. Their creation received applause and gasps of ‘wow’ from the watching crowd.

There were 700 lanterns in the parade, a record number, and designs included stars, Christmas stockings and even one that resembled a Chinook helicopter.

There was a carnival atmosphere as Devizes samba band Oi Sambistas! played music and Bicyclettes performed fire juggling in the build up to the parade.

This year’s weather was milder than the freezing and snowy conditions of last year.

Rain had fallen during the afternoon but thankfully had stopped as people lined up eagerly with their lanterns for the parade.

Among them were first timers Finley, seven, and Solomon Pennington, five, and mum Kit Pennington from West Lavington. Finley’s three foot high snowman lantern was almost as tall as him.

Also taking part for the first time were Sarah Hyde, and her eight-year-old twins Robert and Michael, who go to Nursteed Community Primary School, and Dan and Gabby Davies and their sons, Oscar, five, and Milo, three, from Chirton.

Mrs Davies said: “I heard fantastic things about the whole parade. I have never been to it before as my two were too young to come out this late at night but now they are old enough and I thought it would be brilliant for them. The kids have really enjoyed making the lanterns.”

Paying a return visit were Colin Harris, 50, and his children, Abigail, 13, and William, 10, from Canterbury Street, Chippenham. They were among children and parents from Redlands School.

Mr Harris had made a Christmas tree lantern while Abigail made a penguin lantern with multi coloured lights and William had a star lantern.

Mr Harris said: “We come to Devizes because of the lantern parade, they don’t have one in Chippenham.”

The parade was led off by The Wyvern Band followed by Devizes mayor Sue Evans. As the parade stopped en route at The Wharf, Coun Evans praised the efforts of everyone.

She said: “Well done Devizes, the best town in Wiltshire and the best town in the country. Thank you for making it such a special, special evening. Well done to you all.”

Father Christmas emerged on the balcony of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust’s building to cheers and the parade then returned to the Market Place where Santa stepped on the balcony of the Bear Hotel to perform the switching on.

As soon as the lights came on a brilliant firework display capped off the evening.

For more pictures of the festivities, see this week's Wiltshire Gazette and Herald.