Hundreds of lanterns in all shapes and sizes from a giant elephant to tiny snowmen transformed Devizes into a winter wonderland yesterday evening as the town celebrated the Christmas light switch-on.

Mayor Jane Burton joined Santa on a sleigh drawn by a traction engine to lead the lantern parade from Sidmouth Street to the Market Place ready for the big moment.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Devizes to help turn the Winter Festival into a real community event. School children had gathered earlier in The Brittox to show off the lanterns they had painstakingly crafted into a variety of shapes and styles.

Many from Wansdyke had made military aircraft as part of their studies on the Second World War while Southbroom Infants had kept things more traditional with white lanterns in geometric shapes. Southbroom St James Academy created reindeer masks complete with antlers lit up by small white lights.

Teachers Helen Fishlock and Ellie Hodson had helped around 50 children aged from four to seven from Southbroom Infants to make their lanterns in workshops at the school.

Mrs Fishlock said: "They are all very excited and really enjoyed making the lanterns."

Loz Samuels, who was enjoying her first Devizes lantern parade since becoming artistic director of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, was dressed as a circus ringmaster as she led the giant elephant followed by two magnificent white horses at the head of the procession.

The parade was then joined at the corner of Sheep Street by the main throng of lanterns led by White Horse Samba for the new route to the Market Place where Devizes Town Band played festive music throughout the evening.

Santa disappeared inside the Bear Hotel to re-appear minutes later through a window onto a balcony and started the countdown to the switch-on. The Market Place was lit up and with perfect timing the firework display finished the night with style.

Today (Saturday) Christmas fun will continue in Sidmouth Street where the road will be closed for stalls and sideshows.